Aim: How can we explain electrostatics? Do Now: Why is it that when you walk on a carpeted surface with socks on, this happens:
Electrostatics The study of stationary charged particles
Charged Particles Elementary Particles: –Electron (-e) negative charge –Proton (+e) positive charge –Neutron no charge Ion: a charged object that has lost or gained an electron
Like Signs 2 like signs experience a force of repulsion
Unlike Signs 2 unlike signs experience a force of attraction
Neutral Objects Neutral objects are attracted to charged objects Balloon Demo
Why does the balloon stick to the wall? Balloon (rubbed over hair) Wall (Neutral)
The charges in the wall separate
Induction The separation of charge without touching When a charged object is brought near a neutral object, the charges on the neutral object separate.
Pith Ball Demo Why are the pith balls attracted to the rod? Fun Fly Stick Demo
Electroscope Device to detect charges
Induction (negative rod – neutral electroscope) Demo Negative charges move towards bottom and leaves diverge
Induction (positive rod – neutral electroscope) Negative charges move towards top and leaves are now positive and diverge
Conductors Materials that allow charges to easily flow Ex: Metals Humans Air Water
Insulators Materials that do not easily allow charges to flow. Ex: Rubber Glass Wood Plastic
Conduction Transfer of charge by contact Only electrons are transferred (lost or gained)
Lightning Becomes very “negative” Becomes very “positive”
Pith Ball Demo Why do the pith balls repel? Charge is transferred (both are now negative)
Electroscope Demo Charge is transferred Electroscope is now negative The leaves repel
Grounding The process of connecting a body to Earth to eliminate excess charge.
No ground wireGround Wire
On dry days we tend to have more trouble with static electricity build-up than on humid (moist) days. Moist days there are more water molecules in the air to steal charge more rapidly. Dry days there are fewer particles in the air to steal charges so we accumulate charge until we touch something and get discharged (shocked).