Static Electricity

What is static electricity?

A build up of electrical charge on an object.

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

A negative charge

What is a conductor?

Allows electrons to freely pass through. (Copper, metals, water, aluminum)

What CAUSES static electricity?

An imbalance of positive and negative charges.

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

Current electricity involves a flow of electrons and static electricity involves a single transfer of electrons.

What is an insulator?

Does not allow electrons to freely pass through. (Rubber, cotton, glass)

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

Electrons are transferred from the negatively charged cloud to the positively charged ground.

What causes the shock you receive when you touch a doorknob?

Electrons being pulled from one surface to another, called ADHESION.

What can you infer about any object that gives you static shock when you touch it?

It is a conductor.

What type of charge do electrons have?

Negative charge

What type of charge do neutrons have?

Neutral charge (not positive or negative)

What type of charge do protons have?

Positive charge

How are electrons different from protons and neutrons?

Protons and neutrons are found inside the nucleus of an atom and electrons orbit the nucleus.

What would it take for an atom to be considered NEUTRAL?

The same number of protons and electrons.

What relationship do unlike charges have?

They attract each other. (Opposites attract)

What relationship do like charges have?

They repel each other.

What happens when you rub your shoes on carpet and then touch a doorknob?

You get a shock because millions of electrons go from your finger (built up negative charge) to the doorknob (positive charge).