Electrostatics

Front

What is electrostatics?

Back

Electrostatics is the branch of physics that studies electric charges at rest and the forces and fields associated with them.

Front

What is an electron?

Back

An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What happens when an atom gains an electron?

Back

The atom becomes negatively charged.

Front

What is the charge of a proton?

Back

A proton has a positive charge.

Front

What is the charge of a neutron?

Back

A neutron has no charge (it is neutral).

Front

What occurs when a plastic rod is rubbed with wool?

Back

Electrons are transferred from the wool to the rod, causing the rod to become negatively charged and the wool to become positively charged.

Front

What is the process called when two objects are rubbed together to create static electricity?

Back

Friction.

Front

What is an insulator?

Back

An insulator is a material that does not allow electric charges to flow freely through it.

Front

Which material is a good conductor of electricity?

Back

Copper is a good conductor of electricity.

Front

What is the principle of conservation of charge?

Back

The total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant; charge can neither be created nor destroyed.