Physics: Static Electricity

Static electricity occurs when an object gains or loses electric charge in the form of electrons. It is formed by friction.

• Charging and Discharging

When two insulators are rubbed against each other, they become oppositely charged. Electrons are removed from one material (positive charge) due to friction and stick to the other(negative charge).

• Properties of Conductors, Insulators, and Electrons

Conductors - materials that allow charge(usually electrons) to easily flow.

• Tend to be metals.

• The better the conductor = the more easily charges can flow.

• On the atomic scale, conudctors are made of positively charged metal ions with outermost electrons delocalized(free to move).

Examples: silver, copper, aluminum, steel

Insulators - materials that do not allow free charges to flow easily at all.

• Can build charge on surfaces, but if touching charge is lost.

Examples: rubber, plastic, glass, wood.

Note: some non-metals like wood allow some charges to pass through