Static Electricity Flashcards
What is an electroscope?
A tool that can be used to detect the presence of electric charge (pith ball, metal leaf)
What is a proton?
A positively charged subatomic particle
What is an electron?
A negatively charged subatomic particle
What is a neutron?
A neutral subatomic particle
What is friction?
Rubbing two objects together to create a charge
What is conduction?
When a charged object makes contact with a neutral object, causing the transfer of electrons
What is induction?
Charging a neutral object with a charged object by bringing the charged object close to it without any contact
How do you read the electrostatic series?
The objects that are higher on the electrostatic series will become positive because their grasp on electrons is weaker. The objects that are lower on the electrostatic series will become negative because they have a stronger grasp on electrons.
Can you determine the final charge on objects charged by conduction?
Yes, objects charged by conduction will end up with the exact same charge and number of electrons
Can you determine the final charge on objects charged by induction?
Yes, if it was temporary induction the objects charges will remain the same. If it was permanent induction the previously neutral object will become the opposite charge of the charged object.
What are the three laws of electric charges?
- opposite charges attract
- like charges repel
- charged objects attract neutral objects
What is the electric force?
The force of attraction or repulsion that is exerted by an object with a charge
What is grounding?
Removing excess electrons from an object by connecting it to the earth to make it neutral
What is induced charge separation?
A shift in the position of electrons in a neutral object that occurs when a charged object is brought near it
How do you know if an object is neutral?
If it has an equal amount of protons and electrons
How do you know if an object is positive?
If it has more protons than electrons
How do you know if an object is negative?
If it has more electrons than protons
What are the three types of charges?
Positive, negative, and neutral
Out of the three subatomic particles which one can be transferred between objects?
Protons and neutrons do not move because they are held in place by strong forces of attraction. Electrons, however, can move. They can be added to or removed from an atom, this determines the type of charge
What is the electrostatic series?
It’s a list used to determine the charge on an object after friction
What is a conductor?
A material that allows electrons to move easily through it (copper, aluminium, tap water)
What is an insulator?
A material that DOES NOT allow electrons to move easily through it (plastic, wood, rubber, pure H2O)
What is electric discharge?
The rapid transfer of electrons that occurs when two objects have an imbalance of electric charge (John Travoltage)
How do electrons move when charging by friction?
When two objects are rubbed together the electrons transfer to the object that is lower on the electrostatic series
How do electrons move when charging by conduction?
The electrons move to the object with fewer electrons to balance out the charges
How do electrons move when charging by induction?
The electrons attract the opposite charge and repel the like charge
What is a temporary charge?
Temporarily charging an object means once you take away the object you’re charging with the other object goes back to being neutral
What is a permanent charge?
Permanently charging an object means you charge an object while grounding, and continue charging it after grounding which causes the object to gain the opposite charge of the object you charged it with
What are five applications of static electricity?
Electrostatic dusters, electrostatic precipitators, electrostatic spray painter, laser printers, dryer softener sheet
Explain how electrostatic dusters work.
- Uses friction to attract dust
- Sweeping causes a buildup of charge
Explain how electrostatic precipitators work.
- Uses properties of electrostatic charge to remove particles from the air
Explain how electrostatic spray painters work.
As the paint leaves the nozzle it becomes charged. The surface painted has the opposite charge so the paint gets attracted to the charged surface
Explain how laser printers work.
- Works with a photoconductor which only conducts when light is shined
Explain how dryer softener sheets work.
- When fabric rubs together negative charges are created
- When the positive dryer sheet comes into contact with the clothes they get neutralized
What are the dangers of lightning?
Can strike you, which can cause death
What activities should you not do during a lightning storm?
Swimming, playing golf, playing soccer in an open field, flying a kite, climbing a tree
What should you do during a lightning storm?
stay inside if possible, if you’re outside lay on the ground, don’t stand under a tree, get into your car if possible
How does lightning form?
Lightning is a natural electric discharge between the atmosphere and Earth. It’s caused by the continuous build-up of electrons in clouds. Large amounts of these negative charges concentrate near the bottom of the cloud. When the negative charge at the base of the cloud moves over tall objects, such as skyscrapers, it’s sometimes close enough to return to the ground in a huge spark we call lightning.
How does a Van de Graaff generator work?
A hollow metal sphere, resting on a cylinder made from an insulating material. Friction between the belt and pulleys either transfers electrons onto the belt or removes them. Electrons build-up on the sphere, and soon there’s too many charges and the sphere can no longer hold onto them so the charges “leak” onto nearby air molecules.
Why do we use lightning rods?
Lightning rods are put on top of buildings and are threaded down so they provide the shortest path to the ground. Made up of the best conductors.
