Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

Electrical quantities

(a) Electric charge

-describe simple experiments to show the production and detection of electrostatic
charges

When you take off a pullover it causes a spark and a crackling sound is heard.
When you slide out a car seat and touch the car door, it may give you a shock.
When you comb your dry hair with a plastic comb, your hair repels apart
from each other.
When you walk on a carpet wearing plastic flip flops, and touch the metallic
door handle, you receive a shock and you hear a crackling sound.
When you rub your plastic ruler with your clothes, you will notice that the
plastic ruler attracts small pieces of paper and specks of dust.

In all of the previous examples there was friction involved with one object and
another. The effect produced on the objects is called electrostatic charge or simply
static electricity.


-state that there are positive and negative charges

All matter is made of tiny particles called atoms.


Electron


neutron




Nucleus

proton




An atom


These atoms have unseen particles inside them. These particles have what is known
as electric charge.

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

The atom has a central part called nucleus. The nucleus has two types of
particles
1. protons these have a positive charge
2. neutrons these have no charge known as neutral particles.

Surrounds the atom particles much smaller than the proton or the neutron
called electrons.

**** the atom may give up electrons or may gain extra electrons, but can never
gain or give up a proton or a neutron.******


-charging an object by induction.

Objects may be charged by either making the atoms that make-up the object lose
electrons [here the atom ends up having more protons (+ charge) than electrons (-
charge)] and hence end up having a net positive charge.
Or by making the atom gain extra electrons [here the atom ends up having more
electrons (-charge) than protons (+ charge)] and hence end up having a net negative
charge.




Rod made
Rod made of

of Perspex
plastic or

or glass
polythene


+
+

+
++

+
+



Woolen cloth
Woolen
cloth

A glass or Perspex rod always gets
A plastic or polythene rod always gets

positively charged when rubbed with a
negatively charged when rubbed with a

cloth.
cloth.


When you rub the rod with the cloth, your body chemical energy is changed to heat
thermal energy. This energy is used up to free electrons from the atoms of the glass
rod and forces them in the atoms of the cloth because the electrons in the glass are
less held to their atoms than in the cloth. The glass ends up having net positive
charge and the cloth ends up having net negative charge. The opposite happens
between the polythene and plastic with the cloth.

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

-state that unlike charges attract and that like charges repel

Experiments show that:
When two plastic rods rubbed with a cloth are brought close to each other without
touching, they repel {notice they have similar charges} and two glass rods rubbed
with a cloth brought near each other without touching also repel ech other.{notice
here also that they have similar charges}
But when a plastic rod rubbed with a cloth is brought near a glass rod rubbed with
a cloth and without touching, the rods attract.

The repelling in one case and the attraction in the other is an evidence that
there are two types of charges,
Similar charges repel and unlike charges attract.


-electric charged is quantized

The smallest electric charged that exists {as long as classical physics is concerned} is
the charge of the electron.

Charged of an electron = (1.6 1019 )C
Charge of a proton = +(1.6 1019 )C
C stands for Coulomb, the unit of electric charge.

Any existing charge is produced due to the transfer of an integral number of
electrons.

Hence,
Electric charge = (number of electrons exchanged)x(electronic charge)
Electric charge = (number of electrons exchanged)x( (1.6 1019 )C )

Question,

How many electrons need to be transferred to produce a static charge of 1C? hence use
your answer to define the Coulomb.

1C = (number of electrons exchanged)x( (1.6 1019 )C )
1C
Number of electrons exchange =
= 6.25 1018 electrons
19
1.6 10 C

1C is: the electric charge produce by the exchange of 6.25 1018 electron.

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

Notice that 1C is a huge quantity of static charge.
-describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a
force

Electrically charged objects exert forces on each other without having to touch. This
tells us that the electric force is an at a distance force this kind of force can not
happen unless there is a field.

The gravitational field of Earth enables it to attract objects which are far away.
Hence the electric charge must have an electric field to enable it to attract or repel
other charges without touching them.

Electric field is a region in space where an electric charge feels an electric force.
The stronger the field, the larger the force and vice versa.


Electric field lines called
also, lines of force

Electric field lines of force point

away from the positive charge

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Electric field lines of force point

towards the negative charge

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

Draw the electric field lines pattern for each of the following:




+
+



+

+

+

+

+

+

+


_
+





-distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples

An electric conductor: is a metal which has free electrons that can move freely
within the conductor. A good electric conductor is also a good thermal conductor.
Electrons here are loosely held to their atoms

Examples: copper, gold, silver, etc.

An insulator: is a non-metal which has no free electrons to pass freely through it.
Electrons here are tightly held to their atoms. An electric insulator is also a thermal
insulator.

Examples: wood, plastic, glass,.etc

Semiconductors: are in-between metals. They are insulators when cold and good
conductors when hot.

Examples: silicon, germanium





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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

-Earthing or Grounding

When connecting a charged conductor to the ground by means of a conducting wire
or simply touching it with your finger, excess charge go to the ground and the
conductor loses its charge.

Electrons escape to the
ground.

Negatively charged
metallic sphere

- - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - -

Insulating
stand

Insulating
stand

Positively charged
metallic sphere

++++
++++
++++

neutral metallic sphere

Insulating
stand

neutral metallic sphere

Electrons come
up from ground

++++
++++
++++

_
Insulating
stand

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Insulating
stand

Insulating
stand

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

-give an account of charging by induction

A conductor may be charged by induction or by effect,

A charged object brought near to a neutral conductor mounted on an insulating
stand will cause it to become charged.

The following diagram shows the process:
Neutral
conducting sphere

The positively charged object

brought close without touching the
sphere

++
+

++
+

The positive charge attracted the free

electrons to the near end and left
behind a net positive charge

++
+

++
+

_
_
_

++
+

+
+
+

_
_
_

_
_
_

Electrons come
up from the
ground and
neutralize the
positive charge

+
+
+

Without
removing the
positive charge,
earth the sphere

-----

Cut earth and remove

positive charge, get a
Negatively charged sphere

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

Homework,
Show how you can give a neutral conducting sphere a net positive charge.










































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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

1.

(a)
(i)

Electrostatic charges can be produced by the process of friction.

Which charged particle is transferred from one material to the other in this process?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

When petrol is pumped through pipes, electrostatic charges can build up.

petrol

++
+
+ ++
+
+ ++
+

delivery
pipe

car petrol
tank
Explain why this is dangerous.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

What can be done to prevent the build up of electrostatic charges?

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(b)

The diagram shows coffee granules being poured through a funnel into a container. As
the granules move through the funnel they gain an electrostatic charge. This causes some
of the granules to miss the container.

funnel
granules
granules pushed
sideways
container

Explain, in terms of charges, why some of the granules are pushed out sideways and
miss the container.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

2.

Electrostatic charge is important when aircraft are refuelled.

fuel tank

fuel pipe

copper wire in ground

(a)

STS

Electrostatic charge can build up as fuel is pumped through the fuel pipe.
Explain how this happens.

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Why is the build up of electrostatic charge on the aircraft dangerous?

....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

During refuelling a copper wire is attached between the wing and the ground.
How does this prevent the build-up of electrostatic charge on the wing?

....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

3.

A plastic comb is rubbed with a duster.

Small pieces of paper stick to the comb as it gains a charge.

(i)

Explain how rubbing the comb with the duster causes it to become charged.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Suggest why the small pieces of paper stick to the charged comb.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

Small pieces of paper will not stick to a hand held metal comb rubbed by a duster.
Why not?

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

4.

(a)

Tick two boxes to show the best electrical conductors.

plastic

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

copper
glass
water
silver
(2)

(b)

The diagram shows two charged balloons hanging from a support on nylon threads.

A
(i)

Draw one arrow on each balloon to show the directions of the forces which make the
balloons move apart.
(2)

(ii)

Balloon A is positively charged.

What is the sign of the charge on balloon B?

.............................................................................................................................
Explain your answer.
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

One way of charging a balloon is by rubbing it on a woollen jumper.

An aluminium rod held in the hand cannot be charged in this way.
Explain why not.

.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(2)

(c)

(i)

State two ways in which static electricity can be put to good use.

1 ..........................................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

State two ways in which static electricity can be harmful or annoying.

1 ..........................................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

5.

The diagram shows a simplified model of the inside of a metallic electrical conductor.

The end A of the conductor is connected to the positive terminal of a battery and the
end B to the negative terminal.
(i)

What name is given to the negatively charged carriers in a metallic conductor?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction in which the negatively charged
carriers move when the metallic conductor is connected to the battery.
Explain why they move in the direction you have shown.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(iii)

What name is given to the flow of the negatively charged carriers through the
conductor?

.....................................................................................................................................

(1)
(Total 4 marks)

6.

(a)
Use words from the box to complete the sentences. Each word may be
used once, more than once, or not at all.
atoms
negatively

attract
positively

electrons
protons

friction
repel

When Jo combs her hair with a plastic comb, her hair and the comb become charged.
This happens because of the .................................... between her hair and the comb.
The comb becomes positively charged so her hair becomes ......................................
charged.
Jos hair sticks out because like charges ....................................
When she is combing her hair, Jo can hear a crackling sound.
This is caused by .................................... moving from her hair to the comb.
(4)

(b)

If Jo combed her hair with a metal comb, the comb would not become charged.
What property of the metal comb stops it becoming charged in this way?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

7.

(a)
Jason holds a polythene rod and rubs it with a dry cloth.
The rod becomes electrically charged.
(i)

Describe what happens when he holds the charged rod near some small pieces
of paper.

......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
(2)

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(ii)

He holds other rods made from different materials and rubs them with the same cloth.
Complete the table by placing a tick in the correct column for each material to show
whether it is found to be charged or not.
Material

Charged

Not Charged

polythene
copper
steel
plastic
(2)

(b)

A device to protect a golfer from lightning is shown.

aluminium poles

spike in
ground
Explain how the aluminium poles stop lightning from striking the golfer.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(2)

8.

A polythene rod becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed with a dry cloth.
Explain this.

...............................................................................................................................................

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
9.

(a)
A perspex ruler is rubbed with a cloth.
The ruler becomes positively charged.
Explain how it becomes positively charged.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Static electricity can be dangerous.

conducting strip
For safety reasons, some oil and petrol tankers are fitted with a conducting strip.
When the tanker is moving, it is important that the conducting strip is in contact
with the ground.
Explain how the conducting strip increases safety.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(3)
(Total 5 marks)

10.

A moving car stops and a passenger gets out.

When her feet touch the ground she feels an electric shock.
Explain why this happens.

...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)

11.

When two thin strips of plastic are rubbed with a duster they move away from each
other.
The arrow shows the electrostatic force on one of the strips.

wooden block

plastic strip

electrostatic force

(a)

Draw an arrow to show the direction of the electrostatic force on the other strip.
(1)

(b)

Compare the sizes of the electrostatic forces on the strips.

.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Explain why the strips move away from each other.

.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................

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Physics/ Static electricity/ Notes and Questions/

(2)

(d)

(i)
What particles are transferred between materials when an object
becomes charged by rubbing?
.......................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

These particles carry a negative charge. What is the sign of the charge on
objects that lose these particles?

.......................................................................................................................
Give a reason for your answer.
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

12.

After a balloon is rubbed with a duster, the two attract each other.

(i)

Draw an arrow that shows the electrostatic force on the balloon.

(1)

(ii)

Explain, in terms of charges, why the balloon and the duster attract each other.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

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13.

When Benjamin Franklin was trying to find out about electricity, he flew a kite under a
thunder cloud.
He tied a metal key to the bottom of the kite string.
A spark passed from the metal key to the ground.

Franklin thought that electricity was a fluid that could move through things.
(i)

What evidence did he have that electricity can move?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Where did he think the electricity came from?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

How would we now explain how electricity travelled along the kite string?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

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14.

A man becomes positively charged by walking across a nylon carpet.

++
+

+
+
+
+

Carpet
When he touches an earthed light switch, he feels a shock as he loses excess charge.
Explain how he loses the excess charge.
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)

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15.

Pauline walks across a nylon carpet towards a door.

Explain why she gets a shock when she touches the metal door handle but not when
she touches the wooden door.
You may add to the diagram to help to make your answer clear.
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
(Total 3 marks)

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16.

The balloon in the diagram has been negatively charged by rubbing it with a cloth.

balloon

string
(a)

Tick the two statements that correctly describe charging the balloon.
negatively charged particles move from the cloth on to the
balloon
positively charged particles are rubbed off the balloon
negatively charged particles on the balloon are electrons
the cloth becomes negatively charged
(2)

(b)

Another negatively charged balloon is brought close to the first negatively charged
balloon. The balloons do not touch.
Underline the correct word to complete the following sentence.
attract
The balloons will

burst

repel
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

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