Static Electricity

Electric charge Electric charge can be either positive or negative. TRIPLE ONLY Electric charge Electric charge can be either positive or negative. In an atom an electron has a negative charge that is of the same size as the positive charge of a proton. Neutrons have no electric charge. As an atom has the same number of electrons as protons it is uncharged.

Static and current electricity Static electricity describes the situation when electric charges remain stationary. This occurs best with insulators. An electric current occurs when electric charges are moving from one place to another. This occurs best with conductors.

Charging materials using friction When certain insulating materials are rubbed against each other they become electrically charged. Electrons are rubbed off one material onto the other. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. The material that loses electrons is left with an equal positive charge.

Force and charge When a charged object is brought close to an uncharged one the two objects attract each other. The charged comb attracts the column of water Charged balloon attracted to a wall

Attraction and repulsion Two bodies that carry different types of charge attract. Two bodies that carry the same type of charge repel. The law of charges: LIKE CHARGES REPEL, UNLIKE ATTRACT. This boy’s hair has all the same type of charge!

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below: Static electricity occurs when electric ________ remains ____________ on an object. An __________ object can be charged by __________ it with another insulator. One of them gains ________ and becomes negatively charged. The other becomes equally __________ charged. The law of charges states that; ‘like charges _______, unlike _________’. charge stationary insulating rubbing electrons positively repel attract WORD SELECTION: attract insulating electrons repel stationary rubbing positively charge