Electric Forces

Atoms Atoms have the following: – Neutrons (neutral charge) – Protons (positive charge) – Electrons (negative charge) Protons and electrons have an electric charge.

Electric Charges (Forces) Electrons are located on the outer edges … which means they can be moved. If electrons are stripped away, the atom becomes positively charged. Static charge = an unbalanced negative or positive electric charge on an object

The strength of the electric force between two charged objects depends on two variables: – The total amount of charge on both objects – Distance between the objects

Electric field = the region surrounding a charged object Electric forces will attract (opposite charges) or repel (same charges) other charged objects.

Insulators vs. Conductors Insulator = a material in which electrons cannot move easily. – Example: Glass, rubber, wood Conductor = a material in which electrons can move easily. – Example: Copper, aluminum

Transferring Electrons (Electric Discharge) Contact – When objects made of different materials touch, electrons collect on one Conduction – When objects with unequal charges touch, electrons flow from the object with a greater concentration of negative charge. Induction – One object causes two other objects that are conductors to become charged without touching them.

The process of an unbalanced electric charge becoming balanced is an electric discharge. Lightning is an electric discharge Grounding = providing a path for electric charges to flow safely into the ground.

Learning Scale … I can 4 - Design a real world experiment that demonstrates how electric and/or magnetic forces affect objects. 3 - Investigate and describe different types of forces (including electric). 2 - Describe different types of forces (including electric). 1 - Recognize that a force is a push or pull.