Static Electricity
What is Static Electricity?
The buildup of positive or negative electric charges on an object
What is another name for current electricity?
electric current
Name a metal that is not pulled by a magnet
Aluminum, Copper
What is the difference between an electromagnet and a regular magnet?
An electromagnet can be turned off
Which charges move?
Negative Charges
Compare a series circuit to a parallel circuit
A parallel circuit has multiple loops (or branching) While a series circuit has only one loop.
Name 4 metals attracted to magnets
Steel, Nickel, Iron and Cobalt
Identify two ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet
1. Increase the flow of electric charges (stronger battery)
2. Increase the number of times the wire is wrapped around the iron rod
Infer what might happen to the charges of two neutrally charged balloons when rubbed together?
How would the two balloons interact?
Negative charges from one balloon move to the other, resulting in a positively charge balloon and a negatively charged balloon.
The oppositely charge balloons would attract.
Identify two types of energy that are produced when electrical energy is used to power a motor.
1. Energy of motion (kinetic)
2. Thermal Energy
If you sprinkle small bits of iron around a magnet, they will line up in a pattern. The pattern shows the shape of ________________
the magnetic field
Name 3 uses of electromagnets
Sorting metal in a scrap yard, hard drive, alarm bell, VCR/Tape recorders, MRI, Power transformers
Explain two ways in which a charge can be lost
1. Slowly, as negative charges get picked up by particles of water in the air.
2. Quickly, when two objects with different charges touch. Electric charges move quickly from one object to another, creating a spark.
Identify the main parts of an electric circuit and their functions.
1. Source of energy that can move electric charges. (battery or electrical outlet)
2. A device that does work. (bulb, buzzer, motor etc.)
3. Wires to carry the electric charges.
4. A switch that opens and closes the circuit.
Explain how the Earth is like a magnet.
It has a magnetic poles and a magnetic field
Compare motors and generators
A motor uses electrical energy to create energy of motion. A generator uses energy of motion to create electrical energy.
What causes clothing in a dryer to develop "static cling"? How does a dryer sheet help prevent this?
When tumbling around in the dryer, items of clothing rub against each other. Negative charges move from one item to another. As a result, some articles of clothing gain a positive charge while other gain a negative charge. The oppositely charged items stick together (static cling).
A dryer sheet is coated with a chemical that gives of positive charges which it is heated in the dryer. The positive charges coat the clothing and slow the buildup of static electricity.
Describe the composition of a wire. How is it able to carry electrical charges while also keeping the current from passing where it is not supposed to go?
The wire is a metal that is a good conductor. It is covered with an insulator (such as plastic or rubber) which prevents the current from going where it is not supposed to go.
Explain how a Maglev train works and why it can travel so fast.
Magnets on the base of the train and on the track repel each other, this allows the train to levitate. It is able to go very fast because it is not slowed down by friction.
Describe how an alarm bell uses an electromagnet to produce a ringing sound.