Static electricity
The buildup of an electrical charge on the surface of an object.
“Static” means charge stays in one place
Electric charge
2 charges carrying opposite charges
Law of electric charges
Opposite charges attract
Like charges repel
Charging by conduction
When a charged object comes in contact with a neutral object, the charge from the charged object is transferred to the uncharged object
Charging by friction
2 different materials are rubbed together and electrons are transferred between them
Charging by induction
Bringing a charged object near an uncharged object.
How to lose a charge
Humidity
Grounding
Temporary induction
Electrons move back to original position when charged
Permanent induction
During induced charge separation, object is grounded.
When ground is removed charge remains.
Must remove ground before you remove charged object
Conductors
Allow the movement of electrons
Ex, copper
Insulators
Materials that inhibit or prevent the movement of electrons
Ex. Ceramic and rubber
Electric discharge
The rapid transfer of electric charge from one object to another.
Electrons always move from the object with the more negative charge to the object with less negative charge.
Lightning is a very dramatic electric discharge
Lightning rods
To minimize lightning dangers, lightning rods are placed on top of buildings to provide a safe path for lightning to follow to the ground.
Ex. Metal
Volts (V)
The potential difference between two points in a circuit.
Electric energy
The movement of electrons, a form of energy that is essential for powering homes and businesses.
Fuse
An electrical safety device designed to protect circuits from overcurrent
Source
Any device or method that provides a flow of electric charge
Ammeter
A device used to measure the intensity of a electric current flowing through a circuit
Open circuit
An electrical circuit where the path for current flow has been interrupted.
Insulator
Inhibits the flow of electroms
Voltage
The difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit.
(The “push” or “pressure” that drives electric current through a circuit.)
