Static Electricity

Static Electricity

• Static electricity is the buildup of electric charges on an object.

• Atoms are made of protons (+), neutrons (0) , and electrons (-).

• Most objects are neutrally charged, but friction can create a charge imbalance.

• What happens when two objects rub together?

What is Static Electricity?

• Most objects are neutrally charged (equal protons and electrons)

• Friction transfers electrons, making one object positively charged and the other negatively charged.

Atoms & Charges

• Charge imbalance is corrected through discharge, like small shocks or lightning.

Static Discharge

Multiple Choice

What is static electricity?

• The movement of protons in a circuit

• The buildup of electric charge on a surface

• The flow of water through wires

• The ability of objects to conduct heat

Atoms and Charges

• Everything is made of atoms with protons (+), electrons (-), and neutrons (0).

• Electrons can move between objects, creating a charge.

How Static Electricity Works

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of static electricity?

• Turning on a light bulb

• A balloon sticking to your hair after rubbing it

• Water boiling on a stove

• A battery powering a flashlight

Multiple Choice

What happens when electrons move from one object to another?

• The objects become charged

• The objects lose weight

• The objects heat up

• The objects disappear

Multiple Choice

If an object has more electrons than protons, what charge does it have?

• Positive

• Neutral

• Negative

• No charge

Charging by Friction

• Rubbing objects transfers electrons. The object losing electrons becomes positively charged, and the other becomes negatively charged.

  Example: Socks rubbing on a carpet.

• Nature seeks balance, so excess charge is released as an electric discharge (e.g. lightning)

How Static Electricity Works

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of charging by friction?

• Turning on a light switch

• Rubbing a balloon on your hair

• Connecting a battery to a circuit

• Using a magnet to pick up paper clips

Multiple Choice

What happens when you rub your socks on a carpet?

• Electrons move, creating static electricity

• The carpet gets warmer

• The socks wear out faster

• Nothing happens

Attraction and Repulsion

• Opposite charges attract (positive and negative).

• Same charges repel (positive and positive or negative and negative).

How Static Electricity Works

Multiple Choice

What happens when two objects have opposite charges?

• They attract

• They repel

• They create light

• They stay neutral

Multiple Choice

If two balloons both have a negative charge, what will they do?

• Stick together

• Repel each other

• Burst

• Attract each other

• Clothes sticking together in the dryer.

• Getting a shock when touching a doorknob.

• Lightning is a giant spark of static electricity!

Examples of Static Electricity in Daily Life

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an example of static electricity?

• Lightning

• Clothes sticking together

• Getting a shock from a doorknob

• Charging your phone

Multiple Choice

What causes lightning?

• Wind moving through the clouds

• A buildup of static electricity in the clouds

• The sun heating the earth

• The moon pulling on the atmosphere

• Conductors: Allow electricity to flow easily (metals like copper, aluminum)

• Insulators: Prevent electricity from moving (rubber, plastic, wood, glass)

• Purpose: Insulators protect us from electric shocks by stopping electron flow

Insulators & Conductors

• Use a humidifier to add moisture.

• Wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent charge buildup.

• Use anti-static spray to reduce friction.

Preventing Static Electricity