Basics of Static Electricity

Static Electricity

Building Electric Charges

How Does It Happen?

• Electric Charges Build Up (Friction causes electrons to build up on an object)

• Then JUMP (ZAP)!

• The JUMP is called Static Discharge

Multiple Choice

When friction between two objects causes electrons to build up on one object it is called

• electric charge

• electric force

• electric drive

• gravity

Multiple Choice

When electrons suddenly jump from the object they have built up on that is called static discharge.

• True

• False

Where Does It Happen?

• Anywhere electric charge build up.

• Natural electricity

Multiple Choice

Static electricity is the _______________ form of electricity.

• human-harnessed (man-made)

• natural

Multiple Choice

Where does static electricity happen?

• where there are electrical wires

• anywhere electric charges build up

• only in outer space

• underground

Example of Static Electricity

• Lightning

• Negative Particles in Clouds JUMP to Positive Areas - Opposites Attract

• Static Discharge

Multiple Choice

Lightning can only travel from the sky to the ground.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Lightning happens when there is

• static discharge

• static distancing

• electric fencing

• not enough electric charge

Example of Static Electricity

Shocks

Build Up of Electrons on You Suddenly JUMP to a Metal

Static Discharge

Multiple Choice

On dry, winter days, you feel a shock when

• extra neutrons jump off your body onto a metal object

• extra electrons jump off your body onto a metal object

• extra protons jump off your body onto a metal object

Multiple Select

Click all that are examples of getting an electric shock from static electricity.

• person shocking another person by touching them

• person getting shocked by touching metal frame as they are getting off a trampoline

• person getting shocked by grabbing an electric fence

• person getting shocked by holding a live electrical wire

Example of Static Electricity

Static Cling

One object has a negative electric charge (gained electrons), one object has a positive electric charge (lost electrons) - Opposites Attract

Multiple Choice

Electric force causes electrically charged objects with opposite charges to

• attract

• repel

Multiple Choice

All examples of static cling happen in a clothes dryer.

• True

• False

Example of Static Electricity

Hair Stands Up

All hairs have extra negative electrons and push apart from each other causing hair to stand (likes repel)

Multiple Choice

In order for static electricity to cause your hair to stand up, your hairs must all have the

• same charge

• different charges

• no charge at all

Multiple Select

Which of these activities could cause static electricity to make your hair stand up?

• jumping on trampoline

• sliding down a slide

• pulling a sweater over your head

• touching a Van de Graaff generator