Static Electricity

What is static electricity caused by?

An imbalance of positive and negative charges

What is a conductor?

a material that allows electrons to flow through it (most metals)

If a substance has an excess number of electrons on its surface, what type of charge does it have?

a negative charge

What materials are insulators?

a sweater, glass, wood (all materials that electricity cannot flow through easily)

What is a neutral atom?

an atom with the same number of protons and electrons

What is the major difference between static electricity and current electricity?

current electricity involves a flow of electrons; static electricity involves a single transfer of electrons

lightning is a form of static electricity; what can you infer about what happens when lightning strikes the ground?

electrons are transferred from the clouds to the ground

how are electrons different from protons and neutrons?

electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom

What can you infer about an object that gives you a static shock

it is a conductor

what role does adhesion play in static electricity?

it pulls electrons from one surface to another

what happens when you touch a metal doorknob after rubbing your shoes on the carpet

millions of electrons go from your finger to the doorknob