Static (charge) electricity P11

• What can happen when insulating materials are rubbed together?

  They can become electrically charged.
• Why can insulators become electrically charged when rubbed together?

  Electrons transfer from one material to another.
• What happens to the material gaining electrons when insulators are rubbed together?

  It becomes negatively charged.
• What happens to the material losing electrons when insulators are rubbed together?

  It becomes positively charged.
• What occurs when two electrically charged objects are brought close together?

  They exert a force on each other.
• What happens when two identically charged objects are brought close together?

  They exert a repulsive force and repel.
• What happens when two oppositely charged objects are brought close together?

  They exert an attractive force and attract.
• Why do we feel an electric shock?

  Electrons flow to balance the charge.
• What happens when earthing occurs through a person or animal?

  It causes an electric shock.
• Why does lightning occur?

  Clouds build up an electrostatic charge.
• What happens when the electrostatic charge in clouds becomes large enough?

  Clouds discharge via the air to the earth.
• Why does a charged balloon stick to the wall?

  It attracts the negatively charged area of the wall.
• How does earthing remove excess charge?

  It provides a low resistance path for electrons.
• How does static electricity cause danger when fuelling cars?

  Static charge can build up due to friction.
• What can happen if a spark is discharged while fuelling cars?

  It could start a fire with flammable fuel.
• What is an electric field?

  A region where a charge experiences a force.
• In what direction do the field lines in an electric field point?

  In the direction a positive charge would move.
• Describe the appearance of electric field lines in a parallel field.

  Straight lines parallel from positive to negative plate.
• What indicates a stronger electric field?

  Field lines being closer together indicate strength.
• How can electric fields explain static electricity?

  Charged objects generate fields attracting electrons.
• What are the key points about static electricity and charging insulators?

  • Insulators can become electrically charged when rubbed.
  • Electrons transfer from one material to another.
  • The material gaining electrons becomes negatively charged.
  • The material losing electrons becomes positively charged.
• What are the interactions between charged objects?

  • Identically charged objects repel each other.
  • Oppositely charged objects attract each other.
  • Charged objects exert forces on each other.
• What causes electric shocks and lightning?

  • Electric shocks occur when charge is balanced through a conductor.
  • Lightning occurs when clouds discharge built-up electrostatic charge.
• How does earthing and static electricity relate to safety?

  • Earthing provides a path for excess charge to flow.
  • Static electricity can cause sparks that ignite flammable materials.
• What defines an electric field and its characteristics?

  • An electric field is a region where charges experience forces.
  • Field lines indicate the direction of force on positive charges.
  • Closer field lines indicate a stronger electric field.