TEDed The Science of Static Electricity

What are the three types of smaller particles that make up atoms?

• Electrons, protons, and neutrons

• Positrons, electrons, and neutrons

• Electrons, protons, and positrons

• Neutrons, positrons, and electrons

What happens when rubbing or friction gives loosely bound electrons enough energy to leave their atoms?

• The atoms become positively charged

• The atoms become negatively charged

• The atoms become electrically neutral

• The atoms become unstable

What is the term used to describe the situation when one object has more protons than electrons and becomes positively charged?

• Charge imbalance

• Net charge separation

• Static discharge

• Charge polarization

Which type of materials tend to have loosely bound outer electrons that can easily flow between molecules?

• Conductors

• Insulators

• Metals

• Salt water

What causes static build-up when walking across a rug?

• Electrons from your body rubbing off onto the rug

• Electrons from the rug rubbing off onto your body

• Protons from your body rubbing off onto the rug

• Protons from the rug rubbing off onto your body

What is the process called when the mobile electrons jump off a negatively charged object or jump onto a positively charged one?

• Static electricity

• Charge separation

• Static discharge

• Charge equilibrium

What is the result of charge separation occurring in clouds?

• Formation of lightning

• Formation of rain

• Formation of thunder

• Formation of hail