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