GS3: Electrostatic Force

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and factors related to electrostatic force and electric charges.

Electrostatic Forces

The forces present between electrically charged objects

opposite charges

attract - forces pull charged objects together

same charges

repel - forces push objects apart

factors affecting electrostatic force

distance (closer = more force) and net charge charge of the objects (net charge further from 0 = more force)

Electrostatic force and Earth's formation

In space, 4.6 billion years ago, as mineral grains from the solar dust cloud bumped into each other, they swapped charges. This caused the electrostatic forces to clump materials together.

Calculate net charge

add up all the charges on the object (including their signs)

Positive net charge

An object lost electrons

Negative net charge

An object gained electrons

Field Lines

Invisible lines that represent the electric force a charge would feel if next to the charged source creating the field

neutral

Equal positive and negative charges

Electric Force

push or pull between two charged objects; always come in pairs (object 1 pulls on object 2 and object 2 pulls back on object 1)