Electrostatics

Question 1

How do you charge an insulating material?

Answer 1

Friction

Question 2

Name some common devices and how they use electrostatics

Answer 2

Photocopiers- When the light hits the plate, the charge leaks away, leaving a positive surface for the negatively charged black toner to be attracted to

Inkjet Printers- The posotively charged droplets travel between two plates, one positive one negative. As they go towards the negative plate, they land on the exact spot on the paper

Paint spraying- Negativley charged paint particles are sprayed onto the positively charged object to make them stick

Question 3

What are two dangerous occurances of electrostatics and how do we combat them?

Answer 3

Lightning- Lightning occurs when friction happens in clouds, and electricity is attracted to the ground. Tall buildings have lightning rods, which attract the lightning onto a focused point