Lesson 1 - Electrostatics Pt 1

Question 1

Why do you get ‘bed head’ in the morning?

Answer 1

You can get bed head in the morning because when your hair rubs against your pillow, it creates friction. This friction helps create a charge, which then runs straight to your hair which causes it to stand up.

Question 2

If you do not have a conductor, what will happen to the charge?

Answer 2

Without a conductor, the charge will stay in place as it will not be able to flow.

Question 3

What if a conductor and a charged object are really close together but are not touching? Will the charge still stay in place?

Answer 3

No, electricity can jump from the charged object to the conductor if they are close enough for it to catch it.

Question 4

When does a ‘field of electrostatic force’ form around the object?

Answer 4

It forms when an object becomes charged with static electricity - it is formed around the object that is charged.

Question 5

Is static charge a non-contact force or a contact force, and why?

Answer 5

Static charge is a non-contact force as if you bring a charged object and a conductor close together, the electricity can jump from one end to another if bought close enough.