Static Electricity
Subatomic particles with a positive charge
Protons
Are substances at the top of the series more likely to gain or lose electrons?
Lose!
You rubb a balloon against your head and your hair stands up. What method of charging is this?
Friction
Provide an example of a conductor
Copper, silver, gold, seawater, steel etc.
State the 3 rules of the Law of Electric Charges
Like charges repel, opposite charges attract, neutral charges will attract both positive and negative
What happens between like charges?
Repulsion
Are substances at the bottom of the list more likely to gain or lose electrons?
Gain!
When you put your hand on the Van de Graaff generator the electrons flow from the generator to your hand. What method of charging is this?
Contact
Define discharging
All extra electrons are remoevd and the object becomes neutral
How does a charge build up when charging by friction?
When rubbing two objects together, the object with the higher tendency to gain electrons will pull electrons from the other, becoming negative. The object that lost electrons is now positive.
The particles that move between objects to build up a charge
electrons
If an ebonite rod is rubbed with silk, which would become negative?
Ebonite
During whihc method of charging do the objects never touch?
Induction
Define insulator
Objects that do not allow electrons to flow freely
Why do gasoline tankers have a metal chain hanging from the back of them?
Metal chain acts as a ground so that static electricity does not build up and possibly ignite fuel vapours
What is the definition of static electricity
Electric charge that is fixed on an object, and is caused by friction, contact or induction
If an acetate rod was rubbed against cotton, which would gain electrons?
Cotton
Provide an example of charging by contact
After building up a charge through friction, you touch your friend's shoulder and "shock" them
Why is discharging easier for pointed objects than smooth objects?
Electrons repel at the point and are lost.
Why are metals good conductors? (HINT: think about valence electrons)
Small # of valence electrons --> Protons in nucleus do not have a strong hold on valence electrons and they can move more easily between atoms/ objects
Describe one specific way you could create static electricity.
Balloon on sweater/hair, rubbing feet on carpet, etc.
If a glass rod is rubbed against cat fur, which would lose electrons?
glass
You move a negatively charged rod toward a neutral pith ball. Describe what happens to the electrons and protons on the pith ball.
Protons will move to the side of the ball closest to the rod, electrons will move to the side furthest from the rod.
Earth is the perfect "ground". Why?
It can provide or remove a large number of electrons without have its overall charge change.
Why would the Van de Graaff generator work better in the winter than in the spring?
Less humidity (water in air will pull charges and prevent static electricity)