Understanding Static Electricity and Electric Circuits

What causes static electricity?

The buildup of electric charges on an object.

If you rub a balloon on your hair, why does the balloon stick to a wall?

The balloon becomes charged and attracts opposite charges in the wall.

Which subatomic particle is transferred when static electricity builds up?

Electrons.

What happens when two objects have the same type of charge?

They repel each other.

A person shuffling their feet on a carpet and then touching a metal doorknob experiences a shock because:

Static charge builds up and is released suddenly.

According to the law of electric charges, what happens when two objects have the same charge?

They repel each other.

What happens when a negatively charged electron is near a positively charged proton?

They attract each other.

What is an electric field?

The region around a charged object where electric forces act.

The strength of an electric force between two objects depends on:

The amount of charge and the distance between them.

In all methods of charging (friction, conduction, and induction), which particle moves?

Electrons.

When you rub a balloon on your hair and it becomes charged, this is an example of charging by:

Friction.

Which method of charging occurs when a charged object directly touches another object, transferring electrons?

Conduction.

If a charged object is brought near a neutral object and causes a charge separation without direct contact, this is charging by:

Induction.

What happens when the distance between two charged objects increases?

The electric force decreases.

Charging by friction occurs when:

Electrons are wiped from one object onto another by rubbing.

Which of the following is an example of charging by friction?

Rubbing a balloon on your hair and making it stick to a wall.

According to the triboelectric series, which material is more likely to gain electrons?

Rubber.

When you rub a plastic ruler with a cloth, the ruler becomes negatively charged because:

The ruler gains electrons from the cloth.

What is the key difference between conductors and insulators?

Conductors allow electric charges to move freely, while insulators do not.

Which of the following materials is a good conductor?

Copper.

Which of the following materials is a good insulator?

Plastic.

Why are metal wires used in electrical circuits?

They allow electric charges to flow efficiently.

Insulator

They block electric charges from flowing

Conductor

They allow electric charges to move easily

Charge Addition to Conductor

The charge distributes itself across the entire surface

Charge Addition to Insulator

The charge remains in the area where it was placed

Static Electricity

The electric charge that builds up and stays on an object

Example of Static Electricity

Clothes sticking together after being in the dryer

Electric Discharge

The process of losing static electricity when charges move off an object

Example of Electric Discharge

Lightning striking the ground

Same Charge Interaction

They repel each other

Neutral Object Near Charged Object

The neutral object is attracted to the charged object

Induction

The neutral object gains or loses electrons through induction

Balloon and Wool Interaction

It becomes negatively charged

Negatively Charged Balloon and Paper

The paper pieces attract to the balloon

Negatively Charged Balloon and Neutral Wall

The wall's charges rearrange, creating an induced positive charge near the balloon

Electric Circuit Requirement

A complete, unbroken path for electricity to flow

Series Circuit

Which type of circuit has only one path for electricity to follow?

Light Bulb in Series Circuit

The circuit is broken and all bulbs go out

Light Bulb in Parallel Circuit

The other bulbs keep working

Role of Resistor

To control or limit the amount of current flowing

Simple Circuit Components

A power source, a conductor, and a load

Example of Load in Circuit

A light bulb

Function of Load in Circuit

To convert electrical energy into another form of energy

Voltage

The difference in charge between two points in a circuit

Current

The rate at which charge is flowing

Resistance

The material's tendency to resist the flow of charge

Resistance Measurement

Ohms (Ω)

Effect of Wire Thickness on Resistance

It decreases resistance

Increasing Resistance in a Circuit

Using aluminum instead of copper wire

Conventional Current Flow

Out of the positive side of the battery and back into the negative side

Electron Flow

Electrons move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal

Multimeter Use

Measuring voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit

Voltage Measurement Unit

Volts (V)

Current Measurement Unit

Amperes (A)

Increasing Voltage in a Circuit

Adding more batteries in series

Ohm's Law

Current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance

Ohm's Law Formula

V = IR

Current Calculation

3A

Effect of Voltage Increase on Current

It increases

Effect of Resistance Increase on Current

It decreases

Series Circuit Paths

One

Effect of Component Removal in Series Circuit

Current stops flowing to all components

Total Resistance in Series Circuit

R1 + R2 + R3

Total Resistance Calculation Example

30Ω

Voltage Drops in Series Circuit

The total applied voltage

Parallel Circuit Paths

Multiple

Effect of Component Removal in Parallel Circuit

Other components still receive current through different paths

Equal Across Parallel Circuit Branches

Voltage

Total Resistance Formula in Parallel Circuit

1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

Greatest Current in Parallel Circuit

6Ω

Total Current in Parallel Circuit

The total current (IT)

Combination Circuit

Both series and parallel components