static

Question 1

what is an electrical field

Answer 1

is a region of space where a charged object feels a force

Question 2

what happens when a charged object placed in a electrical field

Answer 2

it will feel a force

Question 3

what is an insulator

Answer 3

it doesnt conduct electricity

Question 4

describe how some insulating materials can become electrically charged.

Answer 4

When two insulators are rubbed together
o Electrons are transferred from one object to the other
o Forming a positive charge on one object and a negative charge on the other

Question 5

how does static electricity occur

Answer 5

when two insulators are rubbed together

Question 6

describe evidence that charged objects exert forces of attraction or repulsion on one another when not in
contact.

Answer 6

Charged objects exert non-contact electrostatic forces, causing attraction or repulsion through electric fields. Evidence includes hair sticking to a rubbed balloon, tiny paper pieces jumping toward a charged comb, repulsive forces between identical plastic rods, or sparks leaping from a Van de Graaff generator before contact

Question 7

what happens when conductors are rubbed

Answer 7

electrons will flow in/out of them cancelling out any effect, so
they stay neutral
o Insulators become charged because the electrons cannot flow
o A positive static charge forms on object which loses electrons
o A negative static charge forms on object which gains electrons

Question 8

explain how the transfer of electrons between objects can explain the phenomena of static electricity.

Answer 8

Static electricity occurs when friction between insulating materials transfers electrons from one object to another, creating imbalanced charges. The object gaining electrons becomes negatively charged, while the one losing them becomes positively charged. This buildup occurs on insulators, which prevent charges from flowing away.

Question 9

when does sparking occur

Answer 9

when enough charge builds up, and the objects are close but not touching
- The “spark” is when the charge jumps through the air from the highly negative object to the
highly positive object, to balance out the charges

Question 10

what do the charged objects experience

Answer 10

a force – electrostatic force (of attraction/repulsion)

Question 11

greater charge =

Answer 11

greater force (e.g. a more positive object, a more negative object)

Question 12

closer together =

Answer 12

greater force (force is proportional to the inverse square of the distance)

Question 13

can force be felt even when not touching

Answer 13

yes