Charging an Object ­ how objects become charged
Background Information
­ Conductors and Insulators
Conductors
• A material through which electrons can move easily between atoms
• Hold electrons loosely
• Ex.
Insulators
• A material through which electrons cannot move easily between atoms
• Hold electrons more tightly than conductors
• Ex.
Electrostatic Series
• Within the categories of insulators some materials have a greater ability to obtain electrons than others.
• Ex. 1
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......back to how to charge an object
1. Charging by Friction
When two materials with different abilities to obtain electrons are rubbed together:
• The more loosely held electrons from one material are removed and deposited on the other.
• This results in both materials having a charge
Material that gains electronsà becomes _______________ charged.
Material that loses electronsà becomes________________ charged.
• Using the Electrostatic Series, one can predict the charge of each object
Ex. A balloon rubbed on human hair
Before being rubbed ­ we assume both objects are _______________ ­ meaning the same number of and After being rubbed, the hair which has a _________________ hold on its electrons becomes ______________________ and the balloon which has a ______________________ hold on its electron becomes________________.
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Complete the Electrostatic series worksheet
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