SNC1W Electrostatics - Topic Review

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and definitions related to the topic of electrostatics, providing key concepts for review.

Characteristics of Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles found in the outer parts of an atom. They are much smaller and lighter than protons.

Characteristics of Protons

Protons are positively charged subatomic particles located in the nucleus of an atom. They have a much greater mass compared to electrons.

Charged Objects

Objects that have an imbalance of protons and electrons, leading to an overall positive or negative charge.

Neutral Objects

Objects that have an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in no net/overall charge.

Insulators

Materials that do not easily allow electric charge to flow through them, having tightly bound electrons that are NOT free to move around (e.g., rubber, glass, plastic).

Conductors

Materials that allow electrons to flow freely, having loosely bound electrons that can move easily (e.g., metals like copper and aluminum).

Laws of Electrostatic Charge

1. Like charges repel. 2. Opposite charges attract. 3. Charged objects attract neutral objects.

Discharging

The process of removing excess charge from an object, often by providing a path for the charge to move away.

Grounding

A specific type of discharging where a charged object is connected to the ground (the Earth), which can absorb an unlimited amount of charge.

Charging by Friction

Occurs when two different materials are rubbed together, causing electrons to be transferred from one material to the other.

Charging by Contact

Happens when a charged object is in direct contact with a neutral object, resulting in the transfer of electrons.

Charging by Induction

A method of charging an object without direct contact, causing a separation of charges within a neutral object.

Induced Charge Separation

A phenomenon where the charge distribution within an object is altered in response to the presence of a nearby charged object.

Electric Discharge

The sudden flow of electric charge, often observed as a spark when touching a metal object after building static electricity.

Polarization

The shift in charge distribution in a neutral object when a charged object is nearby, leading to regions of opposite charges.

Electrostatic Series

A list that ranks materials based on their tendency to gain or lose electrons, used to predict charging outcomes.