Static Electricity

Question 1

how do insulating materials become charged.

Answer 1

When they rub against each other, negatively charged electrons rub off one material and onto the other.

Question 2

what needs to happen for the material to become negatively or positively charged?

Answer 2

negative charge = gain of electrons
positive charge = loss of electrons

Question 3

what happends when two electrically charged objects are brought close together.

Answer 3

They exert a force on each other.

Question 4

what happens when two objects that carry the same type of charge are brought together

Answer 4

they will repel

Question 5

what happens when two objects that carry a different type of charge are brought together

Answer 5

they will attract

Question 6

what type of force is attraction and replulsion?

Answer 6

non contact force / electrostatic

Question 7

what needs to happen to increase the potential difference between the object and the earth?

Answer 7

the charge of the isolated object needs to increase

Question 8

what would happen when the potential difference between the object and the earth becomes high enough?

Answer 8

a spark may jump across the gap between the object and any earthed conductor brought near it

Question 9

do charged objects create electric fields around them?

Answer 9

yes

Question 10

where is an electric field the strongest

Answer 10

closest to a charged object

Question 11

what happens to the field when it gets further away from the charged object

Answer 11

the field gets weaker

Question 12

what happens when a second charged object is placed in a field

Answer 12

the object experiences a force. The force gets stronger as the distance between the objects decrease.

Question 14

how is static electricity created

Answer 14

When we rub two surfaces together, we produce static electricity. This occurs when electrons move from one surface to the other. We get a build up of static positive charge on one surface, and an equal static negative charge on the other surface.

Question 15

how does sparking occur

Answer 15

the charge difference between the earth and charged surface gets so big that electrons will jump from the charged surface to the earth. As the electrons jump, we will be able to see a spark.

Question 16

how is a charged difference created in static electricity

Answer 16

As charge builds up on a surface, we start to create a difference in charge between the charged surface and the earth. Usually, the earth is at zero volts. As we charge the surface, the difference in charge between the surface and the earth will get bigger and bigger.

Question 17

what does the triboelectric series do

Answer 17

it lists materials in an order of whether they are more or less likely to lose/gain electrons.

Question 18

how do electrons move in a conductor

Answer 18

they are free to move around, move easily through material

Question 19

what is charging by induction induction

Answer 19

when a charged insulator is brought close to an uncharged conductor, it will cause the conductor to be charged by induction

Question 20

where do electrons remain in an insulator

Answer 20

near the surface

Question 21

how is charge distributed in a conductor

Answer 21

evenly

Question 22

what is earthing

Answer 22

connecting a charged body to the earth via a conductor

Question 23

how can we avoid large build ups of charge which are very dangerous

Answer 23

earthing

Question 24

what is a static charge

Answer 24

an electrical charge that remains at rest on an object, rather than flowing through a conductor. It is caused by the transfer or redistribution of electrons on the surface of a material.

Question 25

what is a field

Answer 25

a regiod on influence. (A region where a force can act on an object)

Question 26

what do gravitational fields act on

Answer 26

masses

Question 27

what do electric fields act on

Answer 27

charges

Question 28

what do electrical field lines indicate

Answer 28

the direction of field

Question 29

what is the only way to produce electrostatic charges

Answer 29

movement of electrons

Question 30

effects of static charge

Answer 30

Static charges can have several effects, including attraction and repulsion, sparks, and electrical shock. They can also affect sensitive electronic equipment, causing damage or interference.

Question 31

how can electrical fields generate static charges

Answer 31

Electric fields can generate static charges by inducing a charge separation on a material by exposing the material to an electric field, causing electrons to rearrange on the surface of the material and generate a static charge.

Question 32

electrostatic charge in spray painting

Answer 32

A positively charged electron within the spray nozzle charges the paint particles. Because these particles all have a positive charge, they repel each other and break apart, resulting in a fine mist that coats evenly.

Question 33

static electricity in inkjet printers

Answer 33

in printers, there are 2 charged plates with ink drops fired between them and deflected to the right position on a page

Question 34

how do electrostatic precipitators clean dust and smoke from industrial plants

Answer 34

dust particles are given a negative charge so they stick to positive metal plates for removal

Question 35

danger of static electricity to planes

Answer 35

when planes fly they become charged. these charges can escape to the earth and cause sparks when refuelling. important to earth the plane

Question 36

what happens when you earth an object.

Answer 36

When you earth it, electrons can flow through the path to or from the object. This means the amount of electrons in the object will return to normal and the object will lose its charge.

Question 37

how can dust build ups happen to screens.

Answer 37

screens can become charged, so they attract light uncharged particles such as dust.

Question 38

why can you get a small spark or shock when you take off clothes

Answer 38

charges can build up on clothes