Investigating Static Electricity

These flashcards cover key concepts and principles of static electricity, as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is static electricity?

Static electricity is a stationary electric charge that occurs due to the accumulation of excess electrons.

What happens when electrons are transferred from one atom to another?

An atom that loses electrons becomes positively charged, while an atom that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.

What is the triboelectric series?

The triboelectric series is a list that ranks materials based on their tendency to gain or lose electrons when rubbed together.

What occurs during charging by induction?

Charging by induction involves bringing a charged object near a neutral object without direct contact, causing a redistribution of charges within the neutral object.

What occurs during charging by conduction?

Charging by conduction involves direct contact between a charged object and a neutral object, allowing electrons to transfer from one to the other.

What is the role of the electroscope in detecting static electricity?

The electroscope detects and stores static electric charge, as its electrons can easily migrate in response to external electric charges.

How does a polar molecule behave when exposed to an electric charge?

Polar molecules, such as water, align themselves with electric charges, with negative and positive ends facing opposite charges.

What happens to the wood board in the 'Mysterious Moving Board' activity when an uncharged rod is brought near?

The uncharged board is attracted to the charged rod because it becomes temporarily polarized.

What effect does rubbing a straw with fur cause?

Rubbing a straw with fur accumulates a negative charge on the straw due to the transfer of electrons.

Why do pith balls 'fly away' from the charged straw after contact?

The pith balls acquire the same charge as the straw, causing them to repel each other.