3.4.10

Static Electricity

Test yourself

Static Electricity

Have you ever had a shock from a trampoline or an escalator? Have you ever seen lightning? These are all examples of static electricity.

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Jumping charges

  • Static electricity is caused by negatively charged electrons jumping from one material to another.
  • When you rub two insulating materials together, one substance will lose electrons the other will gain electrons.
  • If you rub a cloth on a plastic rod the cloth will rub off electrons. If this happens:
    • The cloth will gain electrons and so become negatively charged.
    • The plastic rod will lose electrons and so become positively charged.
  • This is why a balloon will stick to the wall after you have rubbed it on your head.
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Non-contact force

  • Static electricity is a non-contact force.
  • It is non-contact because the charged objects do not have to touch to attract or repel.
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Van de Graaff Generator

  • The Van de Graaff generator produces static electricity.
  • The belt of the generator rubs off charges and so the dome becomes charged.
  • These charges jump from the dome to the generator's ball if it is placed near it.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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