Static Electricity

Question 1

What causes the build-up of static electricity?

Answer 1

Friction between certain insulating materials

Negatively charged electrons are scraped off one material and deposited on another, resulting in one material having a positive charge and the other a negative charge.

Question 2

What is the effect of rubbing polythene and acetate rods with a cloth duster?

Answer 2

It transfers electrons, leaving one rod positively charged and the other negatively charged

This is a classic example of static charge generation.

Question 3

True or False: Positive charges move during the generation of static electricity.

Answer 3

False

Only electrons move; positive charges are a result of electron movement away from the material.

Question 4

What happens when too much static electricity builds up on an object?

Answer 4

Sparks can occur due to the potential difference between the object and the earth

The earth is at 0 V, and if the potential difference is large enough, electrons can jump across a gap.

Question 5

What is the relationship between electric charge and distance?

Answer 5

The forces exerted by charged objects get weaker as they move further apart

This affects the movement of the objects through electrostatic attraction or repulsion.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: When two objects with opposite electric charges are brought close together, they ______ each other.

Answer 6

attract

Conversely, objects with the same charge repel each other.

Question 7

What is electrostatic attraction/repulsion?

Answer 7

The force that causes charged objects to move towards or away from each other

This is a non-contact force; the objects do not need to touch.

Question 8

How can one observe electrostatic forces in action?

Answer 8

By suspending a charged rod and placing another charged object nearby

A similarly charged object will repel the rod, while an oppositely charged object will attract it.

Question 9

What occurs when a charged object comes close to a conductor?

Answer 9

Electrons can jump from the charged object to the conductor, causing a spark

This is why static shocks can occur when touching metal objects after building up charge.

Question 10

What is a common source of static electricity in daily life?

Answer 10

Rubbing materials together, such as clothing or plastic items

This process can lead to noticeable static shocks.