Electrostatics and Charge

Flashcards for key concepts related to electrostatics, charge formation, and their applications.

Electrostatics

The study of electric charges that are at rest.

Proton

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

Electrically neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Ion

An electronically charged particle resulting from the gain or loss of electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Law of Conservation of Charge

The principle stating that the total electric charge in an isolated system never changes, only transfers from one material to another.

Electroscope

An instrument that can detect small amounts of electric charge.

Coulomb

The unit of measure for electric charge, defined as the amount of charge that passes a point in a conductor when a current of one ampere flows for one second.

Static Electricity

Electric charge that remains stationary, often created through friction.

Electrostatic Precipitator

A device that uses electrostatic charges to remove particles from exhaust gases.

Electric Field

A region around a charged object within which its electric force can be experienced.

Conductors

Materials that allow electric charges to flow through them.

Insulators

Materials that do not allow electric charges to flow through them.

Uniform Electric Field

An electric field in which the electric force is constant in magnitude and direction.

Friction

The force that opposes the relative motion of solid surfaces and can lead to the transfer of charge.