Static Electricity Assessment

Allen rubs a piece of silk on an air-filled balloon. He hangs the balloon from a fixed support using a string. He then brings a piece of silk close to the balloon. What will most likely happen?

• the balloon will pop

• the balloon will expand

• the silk will repel the balloon

• the silk will attract the balloon

Mika takes a load of clothes out of the dryer. She notices that a pair of socks are stuck together. When she separates the socks, she feels a small shock and hears a crackling sound. Is this an example of static electricity or human-harnessed electricity?

• This is an example of static electricity which resulted from the steady flow of charge that is constantly moving through the socks.

• This is an example of static electricity which resulted from the build up of electric charges on the socks when they were tossed around in the dryer.

• This is an example of human-harnessed electricity which resulted from the steady flow of charge that is constantly moving through the socks.

• This is an example of human-harnessed electricity which resulted from the build up of electric charges on the socks when they were tossed around in the dryer.

Damian felt a shock from electricity when he touched the metal knob on a door after walking across the carpet in his bedroom. Which statement correctly describes the type of electricity that caused the shock Damian received?

• The shock is an example of static electricity which occurred because of the buildup of electrons that were discharged when he touched the door knob.

• The shock is an example of current electricity which occurred because his hand intercepted the steady flow of electrons that are traveling through the door knob.

• The shock is an example of static electricity which occurred because his hand intercepted the steady flow of electrons that are traveling through the door knob.

• The shock is an example of current electricity which occurred because of the buildup of electrons that were discharged when he touched the door knob.

The pictures show four balloons that have gained negative charges after being rubbed against hair. The four balloons are placed next to a wall. Which balloon will most likely stick to the wall?

• W because the negative charges in the balloon are attracted to the pattern of charges in the wall

• X because the negative charges in the balloon are attracted to the mixture of charges in the wall

• Y because the negative charges in the balloon are attracted to the positive charges in the wall

• Z because the negative charges in the balloon are attracted to the negative charges of the wall

When is the force between two charged objects attractive?

• when the two have equal magnitude

• when the two have unequal magnitude

• when the two have unlike signs

• when the two have like signs

Which of the following events occur because of an interaction of unlike charges?

• A balloon rubbed with a magnet repels iron shavings.

• A balloon rubbed with wool repels a scrap of paper.

• A balloon rubbed with wool attracts a scrap of paper.

• A balloon rubbed with a magnet attracts iron shavings.

Alvin and Marcus each rub identical balloons quickly against their hair, creating negative charges in the balloons. What will most likely happen if the boys place their balloons near each other?

• They will repel each other because they each have the same charge.

• They will attract each other because they each have the same charge.

• Both balloons will release their negative charges into the air and become positively charged.

• One balloon will transfer its negative charge to the other and both will become positively charged.

What is the term used to describe the buildup of electrical charges on an object?

• circuit electricity

• negative charge

• static electricity

• positive charge

Which of these objects will most likely cause static electricity when rubbed together?

• a. a block of wood and a copper wire

• b. a cotton towel and plastic wrap

• c. a magnet and a nickel

• d. a balloon and hair

When is it easiest for a person to build up static electricity?

• after a rain storm when the air is warm and humid

• during the winter when the air is dry

• after a lightning strike when the air is full of electricity

• during the spring when the ground is wet