Static Electricity

Front

Electric Charge Noun

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[i-lek-trik charj]

Back

Electric Charge

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A fundamental property of matter, which can be positive or negative, causing it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field.

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Example: This diagram shows the fundamental rule of electric charges. Opposite charges (positive and negative) attract, while like charges (positive-positive or negative-negative) repel each other.

Front

Electron Noun

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[i-lek-tron]

Back

Electron

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A stable subatomic particle with a negative electric charge that can be transferred between objects to create a charge imbalance.

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Example: This diagram shows an electron as a particle orbiting the nucleus of an atom. Its location in the outer shells is key to how it moves.

Front

Neutral Adjective

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[noo-truhl]

Back

Neutral

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Describing an object that has an equal number of positive and negative charges, resulting in no overall net electric charge.

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Example: This diagram shows a neutral atom, which has an equal number of positive protons in the nucleus and negative electrons orbiting it.

Front

Static Electricity Noun

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[stat-ik i-lek-tris-i-tee]

Back

Static Electricity

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An imbalance of electric charges that builds up on the surface of an object but does not flow continuously.

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Example: This diagram shows that particles with the same charge (+q and +q) repel each other, while particles with opposite charges (+q and -q) attract.

Front

Electric Field Noun

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[i-lek-trik feeld]

Back

Electric Field

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A region of space around a charged particle or object in which an electric force would be exerted on other charges.

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Example: This diagram shows that an electric field radiates outward from a positive charge and inward toward a negative charge, illustrating the field's direction.

Front

Charging by Friction Noun

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[char-jing by frik-shun]

Back

Charging by Friction

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The process of transferring electrons from one uncharged object to another simply by rubbing the two objects together.

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Example: Rubbing a neutral rod with a cloth causes electrons to move, leaving the rod positively charged and the cloth negatively charged.

Front

Conduction Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-shun]

Back

Conduction

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The process of transferring an electric charge between objects through direct contact, allowing charges to distribute between them.

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Example: A charged rod touches a neutral electroscope, transferring charge by direct contact (conduction), causing the metal leaves to repel each other.

Front

Induction Noun

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[in-duhk-shun]

Back

Induction

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The process of redistributing charge within an object by bringing a charged object nearby, without any direct physical contact.

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Example: Bringing a positively charged rod near a neutral sphere causes the sphere's negative charges to move closer and positive charges to move away.

Front

Polarization Noun

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[poh-ler-uh-zey-shun]

Back

Polarization

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The separation of positive and negative charges to opposite ends within an object's atoms due to an external electric field.

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Example: A charged object (the balloon) brought near a neutral object (the wall) causes the wall's positive and negative charges to separate, or polarize.

Front

Conductor Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-ter]

Back

Conductor

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A material through which electric charge, typically in the form of electrons, can move easily and flow freely.

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Example: This diagram shows a coin acting as an electrical conductor, completing a circuit with a battery and allowing electric current to flow and light a bulb.