1. What we need to know about electricity

2. Matter
Matter: anything that has mass and takes up space.
All matter is made of atoms. p+ n0
Atom: the simplest form of matter, made of protons (p+), neutrons (n0), and electrons (e-).
When the # p+ = # e- the atom is electrically neutral.
If e- move, it can create an imbalance of charge, causing static electricity.
As the animations pop up to label the diagram, I briefly explain an overview of the structure of the atom with the protons and neutrons in the center (nucleus) surrounded by electrons (in the electron cloud.) I tell them we will have a whole unit on atomic structure in the future, this is just a basic overview so that they can understand electricity better.
PAUSE AND PLAY this 3 minute video clip about static electricity before the next slide: e-

3. Video
The Science of Static Electricity

4. Static electricity around us
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
Static electricity around us
Where can static electricity be found in this lab scene?
Teacher notes
This illustration contains several discussion points about static electricity, including:
dusty television: non-flat screen televisions have a tendency to attract dust because of static charge
duster: uses static charge to attract dust particles
lightning: an electric discharge due to a build up of static charge
computer printer: some printers use static electricity to produce copies
Van de Graaff generator: used to produce large quantities of charge
jumper sticking to shirt: this occurs because of a build up of static charge
boy combing his hair: static electricity can cause hair to stand on end
poster about clean smoke: precipitators in factory chimneys use static electricity to filter smoke

5. Static Electricity
Static electricity: a charge imbalance that results in the build up of excess electric charge on an object.
When objects with loosely held e- build up on the surface.
A shock results when the charge is neutralized.
It is called ‘static’ electricity because the charge is unable to flow. [static means still or not moving]
Make sure to play the video clip in the last slide’s notes before this slide!

6. Charge “Rules” Opposite charges attract Like charges repel
Law of Conservation of Charge: charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred; net electric charge is always constant.

7. Investigating pairs of charges
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
Investigating pairs of charges
Teacher notes
Have them answer it in their notes first, then use the slide to show them the answer.

8. Electric Field
Electric Field: area surrounding charged particles/objects within which a force can be exerted on other charged particles/objects.
Refer back to the lab station the students should have done previously where they charged an object and used the charged object to pick up the tiny pieces of paper without touching them.
Allows charges to act at a distance.
The field can move the charges around an object near it.
Charged particles placed in the electric field will be pushed or pulled by the force exerted by the field.

9. Some materials transfer electric charge well, and others do not.
Conductors: materials that allow e- to flow easily; readily conduct electric charge.
Ex. Metals (especially copper in wires) and skin
Insulators: materials that block the flow of e- through them.
Ex. Plastic, wood, air, rubber, and glass
The inside of wires tend to be metal to conduct the flow of electric charge, whereas the outside is rubber or plastic to insulate us from being shocked by the charge.

10. Transfer of Charge Charges can be transferred in 3 ways.
For each of the 3 ways, one material ends up with more electrons, making that material have an overall negative charge.
The other material ends up with fewer electrons, making that material overall positive.

11. Can be transferred 3 ways.
Transfer of Charge
Can be transferred 3 ways.
Conduction: transfer of electrons through direct contact between objects.
e- from one object move to another object.
Object must be a conductor to transfer the charge.

12. Can be transferred 3 ways.
Transfer of Charge
Can be transferred 3 ways.
Friction: transfer of electrons through rubbing objects.
Ex. Socks rubbing on carpet, then touching your sibling and shocking them.
If you have different rods and animal furs you can demonstrate charging by friction at this time.
I always just rub a balloon on my pant leg to show charging by friction. Then you can have someone touch it to feel the small shock of the charge transfer by contact/conduction.
Students can also rub their bums on their plastic seats to charge by friction, then touch the metal leg of their chairs to transfer charge by contact/conduction.

13. Can be transferred 3 ways.
Transfer of Charge
Can be transferred 3 ways.
Induction: charged object making a neutral object have a charge without touching it
Explain how the sphere originally was a neutral object. When the negative rod was brought near it, the like negative charges repelled, and moved away, leaving the positive charges to the front, thus causing polarization. This negative rod induces a positive charge on the surface of the sphere.
This is how you can get a balloon to stick on a wall. Demo: charge the balloon by friction by rubbing it on your leg. Then bring it near a wall in your classroom. It will induce a positive charge on the wall, and since opposites attract, the balloon will “stick” to the wall for a period of time before the wall is no longer polarized.

14. Static Discharge
Static Discharge: the sudden flow of electric charge between two charged objects, due to a build up of static electricity.
Ex. Lightning

15. Removing Charge
Grounding: process of removing excess charge on an object by transferring e- to another object to neutralize the electrical imbalance.
Redirects charge to the ground rather than a building.

16. Introducing static electricity – summary
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
Introducing static electricity – summary
Teacher notes
This completing sentences activity provides the opportunity for some informal assessment of students’ understanding of static electricity.

17. What is a Van de Graaff generator?
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
What is a Van de Graaff generator?
A Van de Graaff generator is a machine used to build up static charge.
It was invented in 1931 by Robert Jemison Van de Graaff, an American physicist.
This machine uses the simple principle of rubbing insulating materials to build up a supply of charged particles.
Photo credit: Dr John Mileham
The generator can produce very high voltages and was first used to help scientists study the behaviour of subatomic particles.

18. ‘Van de Graaff’ generator
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
‘Van de Graaff’ generator
Teacher notes
This three-part animation could be used to introduce work on Van de Graaff generators. It could be highlighted to students that the generator uses the basic principle of rubbing insulators together to produce charge. In stage 3, it is important to note that the boy would be standing on an insulator, such as a rubber coated step. More information about Van de Graaff generators is available at

19. What are the dangers of static electricity?
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
What are the dangers of static electricity?
A build up of charge can produce sparks, which may lead to explosions and fire.
Charge builds up when two insulators are rubbed together. This can occur when refuelling aircraft, when rolling paper in paper mills, and on grain shoots in grain stores.
Photo credit: © 2007 Jupiterimages Corporation
In paper mills, metal rollers are used to prevent the build up of charge. Metal grain shoots prevent fires in grain stores. Any charge is conducted away by the metal.
How can explosions be prevented when refuelling aircraft?

20. How are planes refuelled safely?
Boardworks GCSE Additional Science: Physics
Static Electricity
How are planes refuelled safely?
A build up of static charge when refuelling a plane could cause an explosion.
This can be prevented by joining the delivery tanker and the fuel tank electrically with a metal wire.
The wire provides a path for electricity to flow along, and so prevents the build up of any potentially dangerous static charge.
metal wire