Static Electricity - Paper 1

Question 1

Describe the production of static electricity.

Answer 1

When certain insulating materials are rubbed against each other they become electrically charged. Negatively charged electrons are rubbed off of one material and on to the other.

Question 2

Explain the phenomena of static electricity and sparking.

Answer 2

Two oppositely charged objects, which can come about from the transfer of electrons, attract without contact.
Electrons may jump between objects, causing a (usually small) spark.

Question 3

Describe electric fields

Answer 3

A charged object creates an electric field around itself. A second charged object in the field experiences a force. The force gets stronger as the distance between the objects decreases.

Question 4

Explain the electric field pattern for an isolated charged sphere.

Answer 4

For a positive sphere, uniformly sized arrows leave the sphere in all directions. For a negative sphere, they face inwards.