Intro to Charges, Conductors & Insulators

A set of Q&A flashcards covering basic charge concepts, particle charges, Coulomb interactions, insulators vs. conductors, quark composition of protons/neutrons, ionic conductors, and grounding.

What is the elementary charge value (e) and its unit?

e = 1.6022 × 10^-19 Coulombs.

What is the charge of a proton?

+e (positive elementary charge).

What is the charge of an electron?

-e (negative elementary charge).

What is the mass of a proton?

Approximately 1.67 × 10^-27 kg.

What is the mass of an electron?

Approximately 9.11 × 10^-31 kg.

How do opposite charges interact?

They attract.

How do like charges interact?

They repel.

How does the electric force between charges change with distance?

It decreases as distance increases (inverse-square relationship).

What characterizes an insulator?

Charges can only move very short distances; charges are difficult to move; examples include plastic, wood, air, concrete.

What is the quark composition of a proton?

Two up quarks (+2e/3 each) and one down quark (-e/3), totaling +e.

What is the quark composition of a neutron?

One up quark (+2e/3) and two down quarks (-e/3 each), totaling 0.

What is a conductor?

A material with mobile charges that can move through the sample; conductors act as one when connected; charges can transfer by touching.

How many conduction electrons per atom are typical in metals according to the notes?

About one or two conduction electrons per atom.

What are ionic liquids in the context of charge carriers?

Materials whose charges are free ions (positive and negative ions) that conduct.

What is grounding?

Connecting a conductor to a much larger conductor (ground) to allow easy transfer of electrons.

What is the ground in electrical terms?

A very large reservoir that acts as a source or sink for electrons and is effectively unaffected by small charges.

What are common everyday examples illustrating static electricity mentioned in the notes?

Balloon and wall.

How far can charges move in insulators?

Sub-atomic distances (~10^-15 meters).