1. 17.1 Electric Charge
pp.
Mr. Richter

2. Agenda Warm-Up Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
Explore Van de Graaff Generator
Notes:
Electric Charge
Transfer of Electric Charge
Conductors and Insulators
Methods of Charging

3. Objectives: We Will Be Able To…
Understand the basic properties of electric charge.
Differentiate between conductors and insulators.
Distinguish between charging by contact, charging by induction, and charging by polarization.

4. Warm-Up:
When you feel an electric shock, what do you think is happening? Why does this occur?

5. Electric Charge

6. Electricity at an Atomic Level
All matter has electric charge because it contains:
protons (positive charge), and
electrons (negative charge)
Most moving charge comes from electrons because they:
are smaller and lighter
on the outside of atoms

7. Electric Charge
Like magnets like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract.

8. Electric Charge Electric charge is conserved.
If an object gives electrons to another object, it becomes more positively charged while
the other object becomes negatively charged.
Losing electrons = more positive
Gaining electrons = more negative
In the picture above, the balloon gains electrons from the woman’s hair.

9. Quantifying Electric Charge
Because charge comes from the transfer of electrons, all amounts of charge are multiples of the charge of an electron (e).
Charge (q) is measured in Coulombs [C].
electron: x C
proton: 1.60 x C
neutron: 0 C
A charge of -1.0 C (1/e) contains 6.2 x 1018 electrons.
Therefore, 1 Coulomb is a HUGE amount of charge.
A lightning bolt has a charge of about 25 C.

10. The Transfer of Charge

11. Conductors and Insulators
Conductors allow electrons to flow freely through them.
Charge is easily distributed through the material evenly.
Most metals.
Insulators inhibit the flow of electrons.
Excess charge has nowhere to go, and remains on the surface.
Glass, rubber, silk, plastic…

12. Charging by Contact
When two materials are rubbed together, like balloons and hair, electrons are physically knocked off the hair onto the balloon.
This is charging by contact.
Conductors that are charged quickly become neutral unless protected by an insulator.
Think copper rod with a rubber handle. Or screwdrivers.

13. Charging by Induction
If an object is grounded, it can be charged by induction.
No electrons transfer between the objects.
Excess electrons flee to the ground when a charged object is brought nearby, leaving a positive charge.
This is induction. The charge is induced on the object.

14. Polarization A surface charge can be induced in insulators.
The electrons can’t flow, but they can turn away. This is polarization.
This is why a charged balloon can stick to a wall (but not a metal doorknob).

15. Wrap-Up: Did we meet our objectives?
Understand the basic properties of electric charge.
Differentiate between conductors and insulators.
Distinguish between charging by contact, charging by induction, and charging by polarization.

16. Homework
p. 633 #1, 3-5