Understanding Static Electricity

What is static electricity primarily caused by?

• The absence of electrons

• A balance of protons and electrons

• An imbalance between positive and negative charges

• The movement of protons

Which materials are needed for the static electricity experiment?

• A rubber balloon and plastic comb

• A wool sweater, PVC pipe, and aluminum cans

• A glass rod and silk cloth

• A copper wire and magnet

How does rubbing a PVC pipe with a wool sweater affect the pipe?

• It makes the pipe magnetic

• It makes the pipe heavier

• It gives the pipe a positive charge

• It gives the pipe a negative charge

What happens to the aluminum cans when the charged PVC pipe is brought near them?

• They become magnetized

• They remain stationary

• They are attracted to the pipe

• They roll away from the pipe

Why do objects with opposite charges attract each other?

• Because they have the same number of electrons

• Because they have different masses

• Because opposite charges attract each other

• Because opposite charges naturally repel