Changing the way you learn

Static electricity

The build up of static is caused by friction.
1. When certain insulating materials are rubbed together, negatively charged electrons are scraped off one and dumped on the other.
2. This will leave a positive static charge one one and a negative static charge on the other one.
3. Which way the electrons are transferred depends on the two materials involved.
4. Electrically charged objects attract small objects placed near them.
5. A classic example is with polythene and acetate rods being rubbed with a cloth duster.
  1. With the polythene rod electrons move from the duster to the rod.
  2. With the acetate rod electrons move from the rod to the duster.
Only electrons move, never positive charges.
1. Both +'ve and -'ve electrostatic charges are produced by the movement of electrons.
2. A positive static charge is caused by electrons moving away, that material that loses electrons becomes positive.
Like charges repel, opposite charges attract
1. When two electrically charged objects are brought close together they exert a force on each other.
2. The forces get weaker the further apart the two things are.
Charges can move easily through conductors.
1. Electrical charges can move easily through some materials, these materials called conductors. For example metals are good conductors.

Static electricity

	Created by jessica-gollop about 11 years ago