ELECTROSTATICS (PHY) Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are the two types of charges?
Positive (protons) and Negative (electrons)
What units are used to measure charge?
Coulombs (C)
What is the charge of a proton?
+1.6 × 10^-19 C
What is the charge of an electron?
-1.6 × 10^-19 C
Define a neutral atom.
Number of positive charges = number of negative charges
What happens to an object that loses electrons?
Becomes positively charged
What happens to an object that gains electrons?
Becomes negatively charged
What is the law of charges?
Like charges repel. Unlike charges attract.
What does the conservation of charge state?
Charge can be transferred but the total amount of charge is conserved.
Name the methods of charging.
- Induction
- Friction
- Conduction
What is earthing/grounding?
Connecting a conductor to the ground to allow excess charge to flow to the earth.
What is an electric field?
Space around a charge where electric force is felt.
What is electrostatics?
Study of stationary charges or charges that move for a short time.
What is the charge of neutrons?
Have no charge
What is charging?
Adding or removing electrons from an object.
How does charging by friction occur?
Electrons are rubbed off from atoms, transferring charge between materials.
Describe charging by conduction.
A charged object physically touches another object, transferring the same type of charge.
What occurs during induction charging?
A charged rod induces a charge in a neutral conductor without direct contact.
What happens during earthing in the context of induction?
Negative charges flow to earth when the conductor is earthed.
What is the role of electrons in charging?
Electrons move to or from the ground.
What is a conductor?
A material that allows heat or electric current to pass through.
Give examples of conductors.
- Metals
- Graphite
What is an insulator?
A material that does not allow heat or electric charge to pass through.
Give examples of insulators.
- Wood
- Rubber
- Wax
- Wool
