Electrostatic Forces

• What is an electrostatic force?

  A non-contact force between two charged objects
• How is electrostatic force similar to gravitational force?

  Both are non-contact forces acting between objects
• What determines the property of electrostatic forces?

  Electric charge
• What happens when objects with opposite charges come near each other?

  They attract each other
• What is an example of objects with opposite charges?

  A proton and an electron
• What do we call the force between oppositely charged objects?

  Electrostatic attraction
• What happens when objects have like charges?

  They repel each other
• What does "like charges" refer to?

  Charges that have the same sign, either both positive or both negative
• What is electrostatic repulsion?

  The force that pushes like charges away from each other
• How do objects gain static charge?

  By gaining or losing electrons
• What happens when a perspex rod is rubbed with a cloth?

  The rod becomes positively charged
• How can a charged rod affect water from a tap?

  The water bends towards the charged rod due to electrostatic attraction
• Why can water experience attraction to a charged rod?

  Because water molecules have positive and negative parts
• What happens when you rub a balloon against your hair?

  The balloon becomes negatively charged and attracts your hair
• What is the result of transferring electrons from hair to a balloon?

  The balloon becomes negatively charged and the hair becomes positively charged
• What are the key concepts of electrostatic forces?

  • Electrostatic force is a non-contact force.
  • Opposite charges attract; like charges repel.
  • Static charge occurs from gaining or losing electrons.
  • Examples include charged rods affecting water and balloons attracting hair.
• How can you demonstrate electrostatic forces at home?

  • Rub a perspex rod with a cloth to create static charge.
  • Bring the charged rod near a flowing tap to see water bend.
  • Rub a balloon against your hair to attract hair towards the balloon.
• What is the significance of the interaction between charged objects?

  • Charged objects can exert forces on each other.
  • These forces can be attractive or repulsive.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for physics concepts.