Sparks

Question 1

What are the protons and electrons like inside a stable, neutral atom?

Answer 1

Number of protons = number of electrons

Question 2

What are electrostatic effects due to?

Answer 2

The movement of electrons.

Question 3

What is the law of electric charge?

Answer 3

Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.

Question 4

What happens to the electrons when a polythene rod is rubbed with a duster?

Answer 4

Electrons transfer from the duster to the rod making it negatively charged.

Question 5

What happens to the electrons when an acetate rod is rubbed with a duster?

Answer 5

The electrons transfer from the rod to the duster making the rod positively charged.

Question 6

What is electrostatic shock caused by?

Answer 6

Friction

Question 7

What are the dangers of flammable gases or high concentrations of oxygen?

Answer 7

A spark from static electricity could cause it to ignite and cause an explosion.

Question 8

Where does electricity flow to?

Answer 8

The ground.

Question 9

What does static electricity do to everyday things?

Answer 9

• Dust is attracted to insulators such as TV screens

- Clothes made from synthetic materials can cling to the body

Question 10

How can electric shocks be avoided?

Answer 10

• If an object that becomes charged is connected to the earth then the charge will immediately flow down the earth wire
• Operators in factories stand on rubber mats so electricity can’t flow through them to the earth
• Fuel tankers are connected to aircrafts by a conducting cable during refuelling
• Anti-static sprays, liquids and cloths made from conducting materials carry away electric charge, preventing a build-up