Static electricity

• What is a property of all matter related to static electricity?

  Static electricity is a property of all matter.
• What happens when a body has equal amounts of positive and negative charge?

  They cancel out, forming a neutral body.
• What do like charges do?

  Like charges repel each other.
• What do opposite charges do?

  Opposite charges attract each other.
• What is the characteristic of insulators regarding electricity?

  Insulators do not conduct electricity.
• Why do insulators not conduct electricity?

  Their electrons cannot flow throughout the material; they are fixed.
• What is the characteristic of conductors regarding electricity?

  Conductors can conduct electricity.
• Why can conductors conduct electricity?

  Their electrons can flow and are not fixed; they are delocalised.
• What happens when two insulators are rubbed together?

  They can be charged by friction, transferring electrons from one object to the other.
• What charge forms on an object that loses electrons when two insulators are rubbed together?

  A positive charge forms on the object that loses electrons.
• What charge forms on an object that gains electrons when two insulators are rubbed together?

  A negative charge forms on the object that gains electrons.
• What determines which object loses or gains electrons when two insulators are rubbed together?

  It depends on the materials involved.
• What occurs when enough charge builds up and the objects are close but not touching?

  Sparking occurs when the charge jumps through the air from one object to another.
• What is the phenomenon of lightning related to?

  Lightning occurs when the charge difference between clouds and the Earth becomes so great that a massive spark jumps across.
• What force do charged objects experience?

  Charged objects experience an electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion.
• How does the magnitude of charge affect the electrostatic force?

  Greater charge results in a greater force.
• How does distance affect the electrostatic force between charged objects?

  Closer together results in a greater force, as force is proportional to the inverse square of the distance.
• What type of force is electrostatic force?

  It is a noncontact force, as it can be felt even when the objects are not touching.
• What happens when a positively charged balloon is placed next to a wall?

  The balloon attracts electrons in the wall, causing it to stick to the wall.
• What occurs when a charged comb is brought near small pieces of paper?

  The comb induces the opposite charge in the small pieces of paper, causing them to be picked up.
• What is the purpose of earthing in static electricity?

  Earthing allows electrons to flow to the earth, removing excess charge and keeping materials neutral.
• How are insecticide sprays charged when sprayed from aircraft?

  The sprays are given a charge to ensure the droplets repel each other and spread evenly.
• What is the risk of uncharged insecticide sprays?

  If not charged, there is a risk that some droplets will blow away or the spray will fall unevenly.
• What danger can occur if a spark forms while fuelling cars?

  A spark could ignite the fuel and cause a massive explosion.
• How can static charge build up during the fuelling process?

  As fuel passes through a hose to the vehicle, a static charge can build up.
• What is the purpose of earthing hoses during fuelling?

  The hoses are earthed to stop static charge from building up and causing sparks.
• What is an electric field?

  An electric field is the region where an electric charge experiences a force.
• In which direction do electric fields point?

  They point in the direction a positive charge would go, away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
• How does the strength of a charge affect electric field lines?

  The stronger the charge, the more field lines are present and the stronger the force felt.
• What is the characteristic of electric fields between parallel plates?

  Parallel plates have a uniform electric field.
• What are the key concepts of static electricity?

  • Static electricity is a property of all matter.
  • Positive and negative charges exist.
  • Like charges repel, and opposite charges attract.
  • Insulators do not conduct electricity, while conductors do.
  • Charging by friction occurs when insulators are rubbed together.
  • Sparking occurs when enough charge builds up.
  • Electrostatic forces are experienced by charged objects.
  • Earthing allows excess charge to flow to the earth.
• What are the applications and dangers of static electricity?

  Applications:

  • Insecticide sprays are charged to spread evenly and avoid blowing away.

  
  

  Dangers:

  • Sparks during fuelling can ignite fuel, causing explosions.
• What are the characteristics of electric fields?

  • Electric fields are regions where electric charges experience forces.
  • They point away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
  • The strength of the field is related to the charge and the number of field lines.
  • Parallel plates create a uniform electric field.
• What is the definition of earthing in static electricity?

  The removal of excess charge by providing a low resistance path for electrons to flow through.
• What do electric field lines represent?

  Lines representing an electric field that point in the direction a positive charge would experience an electric force.
• How does the spacing of electric field lines relate to the strength of the electric field?

  The closer the lines are, the stronger the electric field.
• What is an electric field?

  A region in which a charge will experience a non-contact electric force.
• What happens to the strength of an electric field as you move closer to a charged object?

  The electric field is stronger the closer you are to the charge.
• What causes lightning?

  Static charge building up in the clouds, leading to the discharge of this charge.
• What occurs when two like charges meet?

  They will repel each other.