P2 - Static Electricity

Question 1

Like charges…

Answer 1

Repel

Question 2

Opposite charges…

Answer 2

Attract

Question 3

Explain how an object becomes charged.

Answer 3

Initially the two objects are uncharged because they have the same number of protons and electrons.

As they are rubbed together electrons move from one object to another. This gives one object a positive charge and the other a negative charge.

Question 4

How can you test if an object is charged?

Answer 4

Try and attract a neutral object (neutral objects are attracted to both positively and negatively charged objects).

Try attracting water from the tap, bits of paper etc.

Question 5

What happens to a highly charged object?

Answer 5

If an object becomes highly charged then the potential difference between it and the ground increases. When the charged object DISCHARGES it may produce a spark. The spark is electrons jumping from the object to the earthed conductor. This can be dangerous so we earth things so the charge cannot build up and it can escape.