Chapter 18 – Electric Charge & Static Electricity (Lecture Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards cover foundational terms and definitions related to static electricity, electric charge, conductors, insulators, and charging methods discussed in Chapter 18 lecture.

Electric Charge

A physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when near other electrically charged matter; measured in coulombs (C).

Static Electricity

Electric charge that remains on an object after it has been transferred by friction or other means, rather than flowing continuously.

Coulomb (C)

The SI unit of electric charge; symbol C. One electron carries −1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

Electron

A sub-atomic particle with a negative charge of −1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

Proton

A sub-atomic particle with a positive charge of +1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

Neutron

A sub-atomic particle with no net electric charge.

Positive Ion

An atom or molecule with more protons than electrons, giving it a net positive charge.

Negative Ion

An atom or molecule with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge.

Elementary Charge

The magnitude of the charge on one proton or electron, 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

Net Charge

The algebraic sum of positive and negative charges in a material.

Neutral (Uncharged)

State in which an object contains equal numbers of positive and negative charges.

Conservation of Charge

Principle stating electric charge can move between objects but cannot be created or destroyed.

Conductor

A material in which electric charges (electrons) can move freely, allowing current flow.

Insulator

A material that resists the free movement of electric charges.

Charging by Friction

Transfer of electrons between two objects that are rubbed together, producing opposite net charges.

Triboelectric Series

A list ranking materials by their tendency to gain or lose electrons during frictional charging.

Charging by Conduction (Contact)

Process of charging a neutral object by touching it with a charged object, allowing charge transfer.

Charging by Induction

Process in which a charged object near a conductor rearranges electrons, creating induced charges without direct contact.

Grounding

Connecting an object to Earth to allow excess charge to flow away or be supplied, neutralizing the object.

Induced Charge

Charge that appears on a conductor because of the electric field of a nearby charged object.

Polarization (Charge Separation)

Redistribution of charges within an object when exposed to an external electric field, producing opposite charges on opposite sides.

Attractive Force

Electric force pulling opposite charges toward each other.

Repulsive Force

Electric force pushing like charges away from each other.

Positive Charge

Type of electric charge carried by protons; repels positive, attracts negative.

Negative Charge

Type of electric charge carried by electrons; repels negative, attracts positive.

Electric Force

The force exerted between electrically charged objects; attractive for opposite charges, repulsive for like charges.

Electric Field

Region around a charged particle in which another charge experiences an electric force.

Static Discharge

Rapid movement of excess charge from one object to another, neutralizing the objects.

Conducting Sphere Model

Idealized metal sphere used to illustrate charge distribution and induction processes.

Electroscope

Device (often metal foils on a rod) that detects electric charge by the divergence of its leaves.

Neutralization

Process of returning an object to a net charge of zero.

Amber Effect

Historical observation that rubbed amber attracts light objects, an early example of static electricity.

Positive Ion Formation

Occurs when an atom loses electrons during frictional charging.

Negative Ion Formation

Occurs when an atom gains electrons during frictional charging.

Law of Conservation of Charge

Alternate name for conservation of charge; total charge of an isolated system remains constant.