Static Electricity and Lightning

Static Electricity and Lightning!

Like charges repel just like magnets would. So two items that are positively charged would repel. Same goes for two objects are that negatively charged. Opposite charges like one positive and one negative attract!

Protons and electrons are part of atoms which make up all matter on earth (all objects)
Protons carry and positive charge and electrons carry and negative charge.

First lets review some important information about static electricity!

Static electricity occurs when we have two objects with different charges. One object with a positive charge and one with a negative charge! These objects attract each other just like magnets would!

Static electricity is caused by friction. Rubbing two objects together can cause electrons to leave one object and go to another. The build up of these electrons is what can create static electricity.

First lets review some important information about static electricity!

Electrons move from object to object through friction. Electrons can leave one object and go to another leaving that object positively charged because it now has more protons than electrons. When an object gains an electron is becomes negatively charged because it now has more negative charges.

Multiple Choice

One negatively charged object and one positively charged object will

• Repel

• Attract

• Do nothing

Multiple Choice

Protons have what kind of charges

• Postitve

• Negative

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

Electrons have what kind of charges?

• Positive

• Negative

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

When an object loses electrons due to friction what kind of charges does the object have?

• Neutral

• Negative

• Positive

Multiple Choice

When an object gains an electron what kind of charge does the object have?

• Negative

• Neutral

• Positive

Multiple Choice

_____ and the build up of negative charges creates static electricity.

• Matter

• Atoms

• Friction

Multiple Choice

Objects become charged by gaining or losing ______

• Electrons

• Protons

• Matter

Lightning and Static Electricity

Lightning is a spectacle that many of us love to view, from a safe distance. While it

can be beautiful, it can also be very dangerous. In the United States alone, about 400

people die every year from a lightning strike. We know about ways to keep us safe

during lightning storms but do you know why lightning occurs?

Lightning is actually a form of static electricity. Lightning is produced from static

discharge. Static discharge is the loss of static electricity as the electric charges

transfer from one object to another. In the case of lightning, the air is blowing around.

Drops of rain from the clouds become charged. Electrons move from negative charged

areas into positive charged areas, which will then create an intense spark. The spark is

what we view as a lightning bolt.