Static electricity

Question 1

How can an insulator be charged by friction

Answer 1

• Electrons are transferred from one object to another by being rubbed off
• The material that gains electrons from one object becomes negatively charged.
• The material that loses electrons is left with a positive charge

Question 2

What is the result of rubbing together two conductors

Answer 2

Electrons would flow in and out of the objects making them neutral

Question 3

Why do insulators become charged

Answer 3

As electrons are unable to flow in insulators

Question 4

When does sparking occur

Answer 4

When an object has enough charge producing a high potential difference between it and the ‘earther’

Question 5

How does lighting occur

Answer 5

when a charge difference between clouds and the Earth becomes so great, and a massive spark (lightning) jumps across to balance the charge

Question 6

What is earthing

Answer 6

When electrons flow to the earth neutralising them and removing excess charge

Question 7

How are electrostatic charges used in insecticide

Answer 7

Droplets are provided with a like charge which causes them to repel each other and therefore spread out evenly

Question 8

How is static electricity dangerous when refuelling a car

Answer 8

As fuel flows out of a filler pipe static electricity can build up which can cause a spark which can ignite petrol’s causing an explosion

Question 9

How is static electricity dangerous when on an airplane

Answer 9

As planes fly in the air, friction occurs causing the plane to be charged which can intervene with telecommunications

Question 10

What is the effects of earthing

Answer 10

provides an easy route for static charges to travel into the group meaning no charge can build up

Question 11

What is induction

Answer 11

Providing an object without a magnetic field a magnetic field

Question 12

How does induction work (balloon and wall example)

Answer 12

1. Rubbing a balloon on your hair/clothes transfers electrons
2. Charges on surfaces are able to move around and the negative charges are repelled
3. Opposite charges attract - positive charges are brought to the surface the balloon to attract

Question 13

How is electrostatics used in insecticide

Answer 13

The droplets of insecticide are all given the same static charge so that they repel each other and therefore distribute evenly