Electrical Charges and Forces Lecture

These flashcards cover key concepts related to electrical charges and forces, including properties of atoms, ion formation, and methods of charging.

What is the composition of a helium nucleus?

The helium nucleus is composed of two protons and two neutrons.

What do like charges do?

Like charges repel each other.

What do opposite charges do?

Opposite charges attract each other.

What is an ion?

A charged atom is called an ion.

What is a cation?

A positive ion that has a net positive charge and has lost one or more electrons.

What is an anion?

A negative ion that has a net negative charge and has gained one or more extra electrons.

What is the principle of conservation of charge?

Charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one material to another.

What is the unit of electric charge?

The unit of electric charge is the coulomb (C).

What is the symbol for elementary charge?

The symbol for elementary charge is 'e'.

What is the mass of a proton?

The mass of a proton is approximately 1.67 x 10^-27 kg.

What is the charge of an electron?

The charge of an electron is -1.6 x 10^-19 C.

What type of force is electrostatic force compared to gravitational force?

Electrostatic force is attractive and repulsive, while gravitational force is only attractive.

What is static electricity?

Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material.

What are the three methods of charging?

Charging by friction, charging by contact, and charging by induction.

What happens in charging by friction?

Charging by friction involves the transfer of electrons between materials, usually requiring motion.

What happens when you scuff shoes across carpet?

Scuffing shoes across carpet can transfer charge and allow you to 'zap' someone if charged.