Understanding Static Electricity

Front

An electric field is created by particles that

Back

have a charge.

Answer explanation

An electric field is produced by particles that have a charge. Charged particles create electric fields due to their electric forces, while neutral particles do not generate such fields.

Front

Example of gaining a static charge by conduction.

Back

Touching your car on a cold day and getting a shock.

Answer explanation

Touching your car on a cold day transfers electrons, causing a static charge. This is conduction, as direct contact allows charge to flow, resulting in a shock. The other options involve different charging methods.

Front

Jermaine and Lashonda each rub their dry hair with inflated balloons. What causes the balloons to push each other away?

Back

They have each gained negative charge from the hair rubbing, and like charges repel each other.

Answer explanation

When Jermaine and Lashonda rub their hair with balloons, they transfer negative charges to the balloons. Since both balloons have the same negative charge, they repel each other, causing them to push apart.

Front

What type of energy occurs when a sock is stuck to a blanket when it is taken out of the dryer?

Back

static electricity

Answer explanation

When a sock is taken out of the dryer, it can become charged due to friction with the blanket, resulting in static electricity. This is the energy that causes the sock to stick to the blanket.

Front

What is an example of static electricity similar to lightning in a storm?

Back

Walk across a carpet, shuffling your feet and touching something made of metal.

Answer explanation

Walking across a carpet builds up static charge on your body. When you touch something metal, the excess electrons discharge, creating a spark, similar to how lightning occurs when charges equalize.

Front

How does static electricity occur?

Back

Electrons transfer when materials come in contact, leaving one object with an excess of electrons. The build-up of excess charge is called static electricity.

Answer explanation

Static electricity occurs when electrons transfer between materials upon contact, resulting in one object having an excess of electrons. This build-up of charge is what defines static electricity.

Front

When objects come in contact with one another, they transfer electrons. Which statement best explains the role of electrons in creating static electricity?

Back

Static electricity is the buildup of excess charge caused by the gain or loss of electrons.

Answer explanation

Static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance of electrons, leading to a buildup of excess charge. This is caused by the gain or loss of electrons when objects come into contact, making the correct choice the best explanation.

Front

Why did the child receive a noticeable shock after touching a doorknob?

Back

She shuffled her feet across the carpet.

Answer explanation

The child shuffled her feet across the carpet, generating static electricity. When she touched the doorknob, the built-up charge discharged, causing a noticeable shock.

Front

What happens when a positively charged glass rod and a negatively charged plastic straw are brought close to each other?

Back

They will attract each other.

Answer explanation

The positively charged glass rod and negatively charged plastic straw will attract each other due to opposite charges. This attraction occurs because opposite charges exert a force on each other, leading to a pull.

Front

What happens to electrons when you walk across a carpet and touch a metal doorknob?

Back

Electrons move from your body to the doorknob.

Answer explanation

When you walk across a carpet, you build up static electricity, causing electrons to move from your body to the metal doorknob when you touch it, resulting in a small shock.