Electric Charge and Static Electricity

Matter is made up of small particles called atoms. Atoms are made up

of smaller, sub-atomic particles called protons, neutrons, and
electrons.

Sub-atomic particles have a basic property called electric charge.

protons - positive charge
neutrons - neutral, no charge
electrons - negative charge
 
 Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Protons and Electrons determine charge
Atoms have equal numbers of protons (positive)
and electrons (negative) therefore, atoms are
neutral, with no charge.

An atom that loses electrons will have more protons

than electrons = positive charge.

An atom that gains electrons will have more

electrons than protons = negative charge.
  
 Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Static electricity - the build up of electric charge due to
the electrons transferring from one object to another.
Electrons do not flow. Remain at rest = “static”.

Methods of Charging an Object

I. Friction - when an object is rubbed, it will gain or lose
electrons and will gain a positive or negative charge
glass rod rubbed with silk =glass rod loses electrons
plastic rod rubbed with fur = plastic rod gains
electrons
++ - - SILK
++- - -
+
Glass Rod
Balloon on a person’s hair???
 
 
 Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Static electricity - the build up of electric charge due to
the electrons transferring from one object to another.
Electrons do not flow. Remain at rest = “static”.

Methods of Charging an Object

II. Conduction - electrons transferred by direct contact
electrons move from one object to another.
conductor—a material that allows the flow of electrons.
silver, copper, aluminum, mercury
insulator—a material that resists the flow of electrons.
rubber, glass, wood
 
 
Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Static electricity - the build up of electric charge due to
the electrons transferring from one object to another.
Electrons do not flow. Remain at rest = “static”.

Methods of Charging an Object

III. Induction - rearrangement of electrons caused by
charged object placed next to neutral object. charge is
“induced” when electrons move away, or attract.
No contact.
 
 ELECTRIC CHARGE

• van de graaff
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balloo
ns
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/travolt
age
 Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Law of Charges- like charges repel, opposite charges
attract

Symbol for charge is “q”

Charge is measured in COULOMB’s
1 proton = 1.602 x 10-19 C
1 electron = -1.602 x 10-19C

 
 Electric Charge and Static Electricity
Coulomb’s Law – describes the electric force between any
two charges, separated by a distance “r”
The force of electrical attraction between two charges is
directly proportional to the product of the two charges and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
them.

k = 8.9875 x 109 Nm2

C2
Many charges are expressed in micro-coulombs (C);
1 x 106 C = 1 C. Easiest solution, whenever you see C, just add x 10-6
C to the number.
Ex. 5 C = 5 x 10-6 C; 28 C = 28 x 10-6 C
 
 Coulomb’s Law Example
• Two electrostatic point charges of 60 C and 50 C exert a
repulsive force on each other of 175 N. What is the distance
between the two charges?
• Q1 = 60 x 10-6 C; Q2 = 50 x 10-6 C.

k  Q1  Q2
F F  d 2  k  Q1  Q2
d2
2 k  Q1  Q2 k  Q1  Q2
d  d
F F
N  m2
9 6 6
8.9875 x 10 2
 60 x 10 C  50 x 10 C
d C
175 N
d  0.3925 m
 Electric Current
Electrical current is the flow of electrons. Unlike static electricity,
charges are in motion.

Two types of Current

I. Direct current (DC) - flow of electrons in one direction.
car battery, flashlight batteries, photovoltaic (solar) cell

II. Alternating current (AC) - flow of electrons back and forth along
a path.
electric generator
 
 
 
 Electric Current

CURRENT (I) – flow of electrons along a conductor

unit: ampere (amp)
1 ampere = 1 coulomb/1sec

RESISTANCE ( R ) – opposition to the flow of electrons. Electrons do work

and lose energy in the form of heat.
unit: ohm (
Jsec/coulomb2
 
VOLTAGE ( V ) Potential Difference - energy available to move electrons
from objects of high potential to objects of low potential energy. measures
amount of work electrons can do if they move between two points.
unit: volt (V)
1 volt = 1Joule/1 coulomb
  e'
High voltage greater potential to do work. e'
Low voltage less potential to do work. e'
 
  High potential energy Low potential energy
charged uncharged
 Electric Current

OHM‘S LAW - current is dependent on voltage and resistance.

It is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance.
 
current = voltage
resistance
 
 
I = V
R

units: amps = volts

ohms
 
The greater the voltage, the greater the current
The lower the voltage, the lower the current
The lower the resistance, the greater the current
The greater the resistance, the lower the current
 
 
 Electric Circuits
Circuit – path, or loop, formed by a conductor that allows electrons to flow.

SERIES CIRCUIT - circuit where current travels through only one loop
 

PARALLEL CIRCUIT - circuit consisting of several smaller circuits

connected together
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Electric Circuits
Circuit – path, or loop, formed by a conductor for electrons to flow.

SYMBOLS -
  conductor
  switch (open)
 
  switch (closed)
 
 
power source
   (battery)
  flow
  light bulb
 

  resistor

Fuse - metal in a circuit which melts when current is too high

Circuit breaker - metal in a circuit which bends when current is too high