Transcript Static Electricity

Static Electricity
Electric Charge
Electrons have a negative charge
Protons have a positive charge
Similar charges will be repelled
(+ & + or – & –)
Opposite charges will be attracted
(+ & –)
Static Electricity
Electrons in some materials can move from
their atoms and collect on other objects. This
will create a negative charge on the new object.
Static Electricity is the build-up of charges on an
object.
Electric Field
This is a region around a charged object where
the object’s electric force pushes or pulls other
objects.
Electric Force
It is the attraction or repulsion between electric
charges
Charging by Friction
When 2 objects rub together, electrons may
transfer from one object to the other and create
a charge.
Charging by Conduction
Charges are transferred between objects that
are touching.
Charging by Induction
Charges are “pushed away” from one part of an
object because they are repelled by the electric
field of another object.
Static Discharge
When a negatively charged object and a
positively charged object are brought together,
electrons quickly “jump” to balance the charges.
ZAP!
Questions
1) Why do clothes often stick together after
they come out of a drier? (this is called
“static cling”)
2) Give a simple explanation for the cause of
lightning. Use vocabulary from the Static
Electricity section in the text and use a
drawing in your explanation.
3) Why does your hair often stand on end after
you take off a sweater or wool hat?
4) Bonus: why is there usually more static in
the winter time (especially here in Beijing)?