lesson 2 Flashcards
what is an electric charge
charged particles that exert an electrical force on each other
what are electrically charged particles
protons (positive charge) and neutrons (negative charge)
what atoms/particles are neutral
neutrons and atoms because they contain an equal amount of protons and electrons
what is static electricity
the build up of electrical charges on the surface of an object
how do objects become charged
when electrons move from one to the other
why is it called static
because the charges remain stationary unless they’re given a path to move
what are the three groups based on electric charge
negatively charged (more electrons than protons), positively charged (less electrons than protons), and neutral (equal number of electrons and protons
what is charging by friction
two objects rubbing together and becoming charged, friction transfers electrons, position of protons does not change
what is friction
the force resisting the relative motion of two surfaces in contact
what is electron affinity
the tendency of a substance to hold onto electrons
what is the law of attraction
a law stating that particles with like charges repel each other
what is a coulomb
the unit for electrical charge (6.24 x 10^18 electrons)
what is conductivity
the ability of substances to allow electrons to move freely through them
what are conductors
substances that allow electrons to move easily since the electrons are not bound to the nuclei
what is an insulator
substances that do not allow electrons to move easily since the electrons are tightly bound to the nuclei
