Static Electricity

Q: What is electricity?

A: A form of energy from the accumulation or movement of electrons.

Q: What are the two types of electricity?

A: Static electricity (build-up of electrons) and current electricity (movement of electrons).

Q: What is static electricity?

A: An imbalance of electric charges between surfaces of materials.

Q: How is static electricity generated?

A: Through friction, which causes electrons to move from one material to another.

Q: What happens when an object gains electrons?

A: It becomes negatively charged.

Q: What happens when an object loses electrons?

A: It becomes positively charged.

Q: Why does static electricity usually occur in non-metals?

A: Because electrons don't move freely through non-metals, so the charge stays.

Q: What causes a child’s hair to stand up on a trampoline?

A: Friction transfers electrons, creating static charge; like charges repel, making hair stand up.

Q: Why do you get a shock after walking on a carpet and touching a metal handle?

A: Friction builds static charge; electrons jump to the metal to balance the charge (electric discharge).