The Science of Static Electricity Video & Questions

What causes an object to become positively or negatively charged?

• Equal number of protons and electrons in an object

• Electrons moving between objects, creating an imbalance

• Movement of protons from one object to another

• Transfer of neutrons between objects

What is the role of insulators in static electricity?

• Insulators are not related to static electricity

• They conduct electricity and prevent charge imbalance

• They have tightly bound electrons that do not jump to other atoms easily

• They allow electrons to move freely, preventing static build-up

Why does walking across a rug and touching a doorknob result in a static shock?

• The rug conducts electricity to your body

• The doorknob pulls protons from your hand

• Electrons from the rug jump to your hand, causing a shock

• Your body loses electrons to the rug, and the doorknob provides electrons to balance the charge

What is not a factor in the occurrence of lightning?

• The movement of water droplets and ice particles

• Charge separation within clouds

• The rubbing of clouds against each other

• A giant spark between clouds and the Earth

Can lightning strike the same place more than once?

• Only if the place is highly conductive

• No, it's a common myth

• Lightning never strikes the same place twice

• Yes, it can strike the same place multiple times