Topic 6 lesson 1 ~ Electric Force

neutral

not having a positive or a negative charge

electric current

the continuous flow of electric charges through a material

electric force

the force between charged objects

electric field

the region around a charged object where the object's electric force is exerted on other charged objects

Mia learns that electric forces are _____________ between particles like protons and electrons. The electric forces are _____________ between particles like two protons. These forces can be experienced over a distance due to _____________.

attractive repellent electric fields

conductor

1. A material that conducts heat well. 2. A material that allows electric charges to flow.

Potential energy is the stored energy a system has to do an action, such as when you lift a book over your head right before you drop it. Potential energy also exists between charged particles. Which of the following is true about the potential energy between charged particles? Choose the two that apply. A. Potential energy increases as like charges get closer. B. Potential energy increases as opposite charges get closer. C. Potential energy remains the same between like charges as they move apart. D. Potential energy increases as any charges move closer together. E. Potential energy decreases as opposite charges get closer. F. Potential energy decreases as like charges get closer together.

A. Potential energy increases as like charges get closer. E. Potential energy decreases as opposite charges get closer.

Mia is building a diorama showing the parts of an atom. She wants to better understand the effects of electric forces. An atom is made up of particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons.Which of the following best describes each particle? A. Protons are negative, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are positive. B. Protons are neutral, neutrons are positive, and electrons are negative. C. Protons are positive, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are negative. D. Protons are neutral, neutrons are negative, and electrons are positive.

C. Protons are positive, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are negative.

Why are conductors better than insulators for the flow of electric current?

Conductors have electrons that are more loosely bound to their atoms. They therefore have less resistance to the flow of charge.

Oliver builds a circuit connecting a light bulb to a battery with wires, leaving a gap in one of the wires. He places several objects across the gap to close the loop. He wants to see which objects allow electricity to flow and turn on the light bulb. Why do some materials allow electricity to flow through while others do not? A. Electricity will flow if the atoms in the material are bound tightly to each other. B. Electricity will flow if the atoms in the material are bound loosely to each other. C. Electricity will flow if the electrons are bound tightly to their atoms in the material. D. Electricity will flow if the electrons are bound loosely to their atoms in the material.

D. Electricity will flow if the electrons are bound loosely to their atoms in the material.

If you move two objects with opposite charges apart, what happens to the potential energy between them?

The potential energy between the objects would increase.

A proton is placed next to an negatively charged object. In which direction would the proton move? Why?

The proton would move toward the negatively charged object, which exerts an attractive force as a result of its electric field. The force is attractive because they have opposite charges.

charge

a basic property of matter that creates a force and accounts for electric interaction

static electricity

a buildup of charges on an object

electron

a tiny, negatively charged particle that moves around the outside of the nucleus of an atom