Static Electricity

Question 1

Static electricity

Answer 1

Charges which aren’t moving

Question 2

Charging by friction - cloth and rod

Answer 2

When the cloth and rod are rubbed together, some negative electrons are transferred from the cloth to the rod. The rod is now negatively charged and the cloth positively charged

Question 3

Electrostatic forces - sticking a ballon to a wall

Answer 3

When rubbed against a jumper, electrons are transferred from the jumper to the balloon so the balloon is now negatively charged. When the balloon is held against the wall, the negative electrons in the wall are repelled by negatively charged balloon, leaving the surface of the wall positively charged, attracting the ballon to the wall

Question 4

Lightning cloud

Answer 4

When the lower part of the thunder cloud becomes negatively charged, the ground below, in turn, develops a positive charge. When the charge builds up to a certain level there will be a spark as the electrons leap from the cloud to the ground

Question 5

Refuelling aircraft

Answer 5

Air resistance causes static charge to build up on the surface of the plane when being flown. When on the ground, static charge can also build up due to friction. The fuel tank, body and fuel nozzle all have to be earthed before refuelling, neutralising any charge

Question 6

Electrostatic spraying

Answer 6

An electrode in the spray nozzle gives the droplets a static charge as they pass by it. These charged particles are in turn attracted to the object as repel each other, spreading evenly over the object