Static Electricity / Electrostatics

What is one experience related to static electricity?

A shock from a door handle, Clothes sticking to your body, Small crackling noises, Lightning

What happens when clothes stick to your body?

It is a sensation often caused by static electricity.

What can you hear when moving around in a blanket?

Small crackling noises due to static electricity

What natural phenomenon can be associated with static electricity?

Lightning.

What is another term for static electricity?

Electrostatics

What is the definition of static electricity?

The build up of electrical charge on an object without a flow of charge

What does static electricity involve?

Build up of electrical charge

What is the definition of friction?

Rubbing between two objects.

What happens when neutral materials are rubbed together?

Friction occurs; electrons move from one object to another.

What indicates a shortage of electrons?

Positive charge (+)

What indicates an excess of electrons?

Negative charge (-)

What moves during friction?

Only the electrons move; protons stay in the nucleus.

What type of electricity is created by friction?

Static electricity, because the electrons are static (stationary).

In what conditions does friction work better?

In dry conditions, less effectively in humid conditions.

What happens when two like charged objects interact?

They repel each other.

What occurs between two unlike charged objects?

They attract each other.

What happens when two charged objects touch?

They become neutral.

What happens between unlike charges?

Unlike charges attract.

What happens between like charges?

They repel each other.

What is polarisation?

The process of separating charges within an object.

What happens when a charged object is brought near a neutral object?

Charges in the neutral object separate, causing one side to become positive and the other side to become negative.

What is the triboelectric series?

A list that ranks materials based on their tendency to gain or lose electrons when in contact with another material.

What happens to materials at the top of the TRIBOELECTRIC series?

They tend to gain electrons.

What happens to materials at the bottom of the TRIBOELECTRIC series?

They tend to lose electrons.

What is the result of two materials in contact according to the triboelectric series?

One material becomes positively charged and the other negatively charged.

What does a rubber band do in a Van de Graaff generator?

It moves over a piece of plastic to strip away electrons.

Where do the electrons go after being stripped by the rubber band?

They move up the rubber band and are deposited on the metal ball.

What happens when a person touches the dome of a Van de Graaff generator?

Electrons travel on the surface of their body.

What effect do electrons have on a person's hair when they touch the dome?

The hair becomes negative, strands repel each other, and stand up.

What is discharge?

When an object loses its charge, occurring as a spark or shock.

What can cause static electricity when filling plastic containers with petrol?

Friction can cause static electricity to build.

What can ignite fumes during petrol filling?

A spark from static electricity discharge.

What is an example of electrical discharge?

Lightning is an example of electrical discharge.

How can you stay safe during a storm?

Stay away from trees, take shelter indoors, and curl into a ball if imminent strike is felt.

What does it mean to ground a material?

To be in contact with the surface of the earth.

What should you do if you feel an imminent lightning strike?

Crawl into a ball on the floor.