Physics 2 M1

Benjamin Franklin

demonstrated a connection between lightning and static electricity

Luigi Galvani (1737–1798)

performed a series of experiments in which static electricity was used to stimulate contractions of leg muscles of dead frogs, an effect already known in humans subjected to static discharges.

Galvani

also found that if he joined two metal wires (say copper and zinc) end to end and touched the other ends to muscles, he produced the same effect in frogs as static discharge.

Alessandro Volta (1745–1827)

, partly inspired by Galvani’s work, experimented with various combinations of metals and developed the battery.

amber

The word “electric” is derived from the Greek word elektron, meaning ____

Polarization

is the separation of positive and negative charges in a neutral object

Conductors

are materials that allows charge to flow freely through its atomic structure such as metals (copper)

Insulators

are materials that holds charges within their atomic structure such as rubber band, nylons.

Charles Augustin de Coulomb (1736–1806)

was first to publish the mathematical equation that describes the electrostatic force between two objects.

Electric Field (E)

is defined in such a manner that it represents only the charge creating it and is unique at every point in space.

Van de Graaff Generator i

s an electrostatic generator which uses a moving belt to accumulate electric charge on a hollow metal globe on the top of an insulated column, creating very high electric potentials

Xerography

is a printing and photocopying technique that works on the basis of electrostatic charges.

Laser Printer

is an electrostatic digital printing process

Smoke Precipitators and Electrostatic Air Cleaning

is a type of filter (dry scrubber) that uses static electricity to remove soot and ash from exhaust fumes before they exit the smokestacks