Basics of Static Electricity

Static Electricity

What is static electricity

Have you ever gotten a shock while walking across a rug or touching another

object? If you have, chances are the shock was caused by static electricity. Static

electricity is electricity that is not moving in a path.

In order to understand static electricity, we have to review the atom. An atom is

made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons carry a positive charge, Electrons

have a negative charge and neutrons have a neutral, or no charge. The overall charge

of an atom is neutral.
Most objects also carry a neutral, or have no charge. However, objects can

become charged by gaining or losing electrons. When an object loses an electron, it

becomes positive because it has more positive charges. When an object gains an

electron, its overall charge becomes negative because of the extra electron. Static

electricity can occur when there is a build up of these negative charges.

Multiple Choice

Protons have what kind of charge?

• Negative

• Positive

• Neutral

• Special

Multiple Choice

Electrons have what kind of charge?

• negative
• no charge
• neutral
• positive

Multiple Choice

Static electricity occurs when there's a build up of what charges?

• Negative

• Positive

• Atoms

• Matter

Static electricity

It is important to remember that static electricity is not the same as electricity we

use to light our homes or use our electronic devices. Static electricity does not flow

continuously like those objects. Static electricity comes out in a single burst. Often it is

referred to as friction electricity. It can be called this because it often develops when

one object is rubbing on another object, which is called friction.

Multiple Choice

What is friction?

• Friction is the force that helps motion.

• Friction is the force that supports motion.
• The resistance of motion when objects rub against each other

• Friction is the force that causes motion.

Charges

As we read earlier, atoms contain protons and neutrons. These parts or charges

interact with one another in different ways. Electrons will push away, or repel, from

other electrons. Protons will also push away, or repel, from other protons. However, if a

proton and electron come close together, they will be attracted, or stick together.

Multiple Choice

Two electrons will

• have no effect on each other
• Disappear

• repel each other
• attract each other

Multiple Choice

Two protons will

• neutralize
• combine
• attract
• repel

Multiple Choice

An electron and proton will

• attract each other
• move in parallel paths
• have no interaction
• repel each other

Electric Field

Similar to a magnet that has a field around it of which other objects are attracted

to it, a charged object has an electric field around it. The forces of the electric field get

weaker the farther away you get from it.

Electric fields are invisible so you cannot

see them.
The objects are attracted to one another

because they have opposite charges. You can

see how the lines are connected. If the charges were the same, they would repel.
The lines in the electric field are

called field lines. Each field line shows the force that

would be exerted on a charge. The more field lines

there are, the more force that is being exerted.

Multiple Choice

A + and + will

• Do nothing

• Repel

• Disappear

• Attract

Multiple Choice

A - and + will

• Do nothing

• Repel

• Disappear

• Attract

Multiple Choice

The forces of the electric field get _____ the further away your get from it.

• stronger

• smaller

• weaker

• larger

Multiple Choice

Objects that have opposite charges will

• repel

• attract

• do nothing

• grow

Multiple Choice

Static Electricity occurs because of

• friction

• eclectic fields

• atoms

Multiple Choice

When an object looses an electron due to friction is becomes

• negatively charged

• balanced

• positively charged