Electric Charge

Positive & Negative Charge Protons—positive charge Electrons-negative charge Protons=electrons

Atom becomes negatively charged when it gains extra electrons Atom becomes positively charged when it loses electrons Positively or negatively charged atoms are called ions.

Electrons Move Electrons can move from atom to atom and from object to object One way electrons can be transferred is by rubbing –Example: rubbing balloon on hair Hair loses electrons– “+” charge Balloon gains electrons– “-” charge Two items attract each other

Imbalance of electric charge on an object is called static charge

Electric Forces All charged object exert an electric force on each other Charges can be attractive or repulsive

Electric force between two electric charges depends on 1.Distance between two charges 2.Amount of charge on each Electric charges exert a force on each other at a distance through an electric field +-

Insulators & Conductors Insulator—material in which electrons cannot move easily from place to place –Plastic, wood, glass, rubber Conductor—materials that contain electrons that CAN move more easily –Copper, gold, aluminum

Induced Charge Electric discharge—rapid movement of excess charge from one place to another –Lighting –Spark that jumps between your fingers and metal doorknob Grounding—process of providing a path to drain excess charge –Lightning rod—conduct electricity into ground if rod is struck by lightning