Static Electricity Flashcards
Charge of a proton:
+1
Mass of a proton:
1
Mass of a neutron:
1
Charge of a neutron:
0
Mass of an electron:
1/2000
Charge of an electron:
-1
What causes a build up of static electricity:
Friction
Static electricity - the process:
Two insulating materials are rubbed together, electrons will go from to the other
This leaves a positive static charge on one and a negative static charge on the other
Only electrons can move
Which way the electrons are transferred depends on the two materials involved
What do like charges do:
Like charges repel
What do unlike charges do:
Unlike charges repel
What can static electricity cause:
Little sparks or shocks
Clothing crackles:
Synthetic clothing are dragged over each other, electrons are removed, leaving static charges on both parts.
This leads to an attraction and little sparks as the charges rearrange themselves
Car shocks:
Static charge build up between clothes and synthetic car seat - the friction between the two causes electrons to move
When out of the car and touch the metal door the charge flows and can give a electric shock
Shocks from door handles:
Walk on a nylon carpet wearing shoes with insulating soles, transfer of electrons from the carpet to the person and charge will build up on the body.
If you then touch a metal door handle, the charge flows to the conductor and you get a little shock
Balloons can stick to walls:
Rubbing a balloon against your hair causes electrons to be transferred to the balloon, leaving it with a negative charge.
If you then hold it up against a wall it will stick as the negative charges on the balloon repel the negative charges on the surface of the wall.
This leaves a positive charge on the surface which attracts the balloon.
Charged comb can pick up small pieces of paper by:
Run a comb through your hair, electrons will be transferred to the comb and it will become negatively charged.
Can then be used to pick up little pieces of paper, even though they have no charge it causes a induction
Lightning is caused by a build up of static charge by:
Rain drops and ice bump together inside storm clouds, knocking off electrons and leaving the top of the cloud positively charged and the bottom of the cloud negatively charged
This creates a huge voltage and big spark
Sticking a balloon to the wall:
Friction causes electrons to be transferred on to the balloon and become negatively charged
The negative charge on the balloon repels the electrons in the surface of the wall so they move away
This induces a positive charge in the surface of the wall and so the wall and balloon attract
