U2L2 Electric Forces Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of electric charges, atomic structure, interactions between charges, and the Law of Conservation of Charge from the U2L2 Electric Forces study guide.

Electric charge

A property of all matter that can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Electric force field

A field that surrounds charged objects.

Factors affecting electric force strength

The amount of charge on each object and the distance between the two objects.

Like charges

Two charges of the same sign (two positive charges or two negative charges) that repel each other.

Opposite charges

Charges of different signs (a negative charge and a positive charge) that attract each other.

Effect of distance on electric force

As two charged objects move further apart, the force between the two weakens.

Protons

Positively charged particles ($+$) that are held tightly inside the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Particles that are neutral and held tightly inside the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles ($-$) that spin around the outside of the nucleus and are attracted to it because of opposite charges.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom holding protons and neutrons tightly inside, giving it an overall positive charge.

Neutral atom

An atom in which the number of electrons ($-$) is equal to the number of protons ($+$).

Friction (charge transfer)

The process of rubbing two neutral materials together, which causes electrons to move rather than protons.

Gaining electrons

The process that results in an atom or an object acquiring a negative charge.

Losing electrons

The process that results in an atom or an object becoming positive.

Induction

A process by which charges are rearranged inside a material.

Law of Conservation of Charge

The principle stating that charges cannot be created or destroyed; they are simply transferred from one place to another.