Static Electricity
What is static electricity?
Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on the surface of objects, usually caused by friction.
What are the two basic types of electric circuits?
Series circuit and parallel circuit.
What are the two poles of a magnet?
North pole and South pole.
What is the name of the first column in the periodic table?
The first column is the alkali metals.
What does the term “conductor” mean in terms of electricity?
A conductor is a material that allows electricity to flow easily through it, such as copper.
What happens when you rub a balloon on your hair and then hold it near a wall?
The balloon becomes negatively charged and attracts the positively charged particles in the wall, causing it to stick.
In a series circuit, what happens if one light bulb burns out?
If one light bulb burns out, the entire circuit is broken, and all the bulbs go out.
What happens when you bring two like poles of a magnet together?
The two like poles repel each other.
What is the center of an atom called, what particles does it contain, and what are their charges?
The center of an atom is called the nucleus, and it contains protons (positive charge) and neutrons (neutral charge).
What is “resistance” in an electric circuit?
Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electric current, usually measured in ohms.
What is the force that causes static electricity to "jump" from one object to another?
The force is called electrostatic force, which can cause sparks or a shock when charges move between objects.
What is the main difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?
In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end, whereas in a parallel circuit, components are connected across common points, so each component has its own path.
What is Earth's magnetic field, and what causes it?
Earth’s magnetic field is caused by the movement of molten iron in the Earth’s outer core, which generates a magnetic field around the planet.
What is an example of a noble gas, and why are they considered "noble"?
Noble gases are elements in the Group 18 of the periodic table (like helium, neon, argon), and they are considered "noble" because they do not easily form compounds.
What is an "ion"?
An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, giving it a positive or negative charge.
How does grounding help discharge static electricity?
Grounding provides a safe path for excess charge to flow into the Earth, neutralizing the static charge on an object.
In a parallel circuit, how does adding more resistors (like light bulbs) affect the total resistance? (hint: increase the resistance or decrease? why?)
Adding more resistors in parallel decreases the total resistance because the current has multiple paths to flow through.
How does a compass work, and why does the needle point north?
A compass works by using a magnetic needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field. The needle points toward the magnetic north pole because the Earth acts like a giant magnet, with its magnetic field lines running from the south to the north pole.
What is the atomic number of an element, and what does it represent?
The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, and it determines the element’s identity.
What is a galvanometer, and how is it used in electrical circuits?
A galvanometer is an instrument used to detect and measure small electric currents. It works by measuring the deflection of a needle or pointer in response to the flow of current through a coil in a magnetic field. It's commonly used to test the presence of current or to measure small amounts of current in a circuit.