The Nature of Electricity STATIC ELECTRICITY

show that things can be electrified. understand fluid models of electricity. describe the concept of an electric charge. KEY WORDS Electrified Electrostatic Static Positive charge Negative charge

Electrostatics: Study of static electricity – static means “at rest.” electricity that is at a point, not moving. Ancient Greece philosophers noted; Amber rubbed with fur attracted small bits of paper and dust. Electric, electricity and electron come from the Greek term elektron - means amber.

*Atoms (protons, neutrons, electrons) were not discovered yet. Charles Dufay and Benjamin Franklin (1700s) *Atoms (protons, neutrons, electrons) were not discovered yet. Rubbing objects together caused them to repel or attract materials – charged. Electric charge on an object came from a transfer of invisible fluid from one object to another. Dufay - two kinds of electric fluids. Franklin – one kind of fluid. first to use positive and negative to describe charges.

Two fluids Equal amount – neutral Two fluids More blue – negative Two fluids More red – postive Attracted objects trading fluids

Just enough fluid. TOO little fluid TOO much fluid

Static is a stationary electric charge built up on a material – usually temporary. Different materials can be electrified by contact. Charges give forces of attraction and repulsion. There exist two kinds of charge – (+) and (-) Like charges repel, unlike charges attract. Neutral object is attracted to both types of charges.

Describe how friction can create an electrical charge on a material Describe conductors and insulators KEY WORDS Friction Conductor Insulator Triboelectric

Positive charge – repels a glass rod that has been rubbed with silk. Charges were described based on behaviour of objects - operational definition. Positive charge – repels a glass rod that has been rubbed with silk. (+) charge Negative charge – repels a plastic straw rubbed with wool. (-) charge

Static charge - result of charges transferred from one object to another by friction. Atoms contain 3 subatomic particles: The dense center (nucleus) of the atom contains: Neutron - a particle with no charge. Proton - a particle with a positive charge. Electrons move around the nucleus. - negative electrical charge. - same # of positive and negative charges = neutral.

Atoms: electrostatically neutral – same # p+ and e-. Strong forces hold protons in nucleus – no move. Electrons are weakly held - easily removed. Friction (rubbing) provides enough energy to cause electrons to transfer to new material. Negative and positive static charges result from the addition or removal of electrons only.

Objects can exist in three states electrically: 1. Neutral: positive and negative charges on the object are balanced – net charge is zero. 2. Positive charge: object has lost negative charges (electrons) – net charge is positive. 3. Negative charge: object has gained negative charges (electrons) – net charge is negative.

Triboelectric charging – process of electron transfer by friction ('tribo' means 'to rub’) Different materials have different strength of attraction for electrons. The stronger one will take electrons away from weaker one and static charges build up. Hair with comb: plastic comb has stronger attraction to electrons, so it removes some from hair. Hair (+) charged, silk (-) charged.

+++ + - - - - Most Positive (+) Most Negative (-) Human Skin    + Rabbit Fur Glass Human Hair Nylon Wool Silk Paper Cotton Wood - - - - Amber Rubber Nickel Copper Silver Polyester Plastic Most Negative (-)

- - + - + + + - - + + - + + - + +

Electrons can be made to move from one atom to another. Moving electrons creates a current of electricity. Electricity is not a fluid, it is the movement of the charged particles between the objects... the two objects are really exchanging electrons.

Do not allow an electrical charge to move around. Insulators: Do not allow an electrical charge to move around. Electrons stay in one place until removed. Rubber, plastic, cloth, glass, wood. Conductors: Electrons move easily through the material. Electrical charge is spread out and weakened. Most metals are good conductors.