Name
11 Static Electricity
Class
Charge
1
A polythene rod becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed with a silk cloth.
(a) What type of charge is on the silk cloth after it has been used to charge up the polythene
rod?
(1 mark)
(b) Explain what has happened to the cloth and the polythene rod for them to become
charged.
(2 marks)
2
A negatively charged polythene rod is brought near to a thin stream of water coming out of a
tap.
(a) Complete the diagram below to show the path of the stream of water.
(b) Add charges to the diagram and use them to explain why the water moves in the way it
does.
(3 marks)
(c) Describe how you would expect the diagram to change if a positively charged acetate rod
replaced the polythene rod.
(2 marks)
© 2020 Ian Daubney
3
A negatively charged polythene rod is suspended in a paper stirrup so that it can swing freely.
(a) Describe and explain what happens if another negatively charged polythene rod is
brought near to one end of the suspended rod.
(2 marks)
(b) What happens if a positively charged acetate rod is brought near to the end of the
suspended polythene rod?
(1 mark)
4
A charged balloon is brought near to some small pieces of paper. The pieces of paper are
attracted to the balloon.
(a) What is the name given to the type of charge carried by the paper?
(1 mark)
The balloon is then stuck to a wall using the electrostatic charge it carries.
(b) Complete the diagram to show the arrangement of charge in the wall.
(2 marks)
© 2020 Ian Daubney
Name
11 Static Electricity
Class
Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity
1
The thundercloud is charged by the movement of ice particles within it. This causes a negative
charge to develop at the bottom of the cloud and a positive charge at the top. Lightning
happens when the amount of charge becomes too much, and it discharges as a bright flash.
Many lightning flashes happen within the cloud.
(a) Which way do electrons move when this occurs?
(1 mark)
A lightning conductor is a strip of metal that runs from the ground up to the highest point on a
building.
(b) Add charges to the right-hand side of the diagram and use them to explain how the
lightning conductor reduces the danger from lightning.
(4 marks)
© 2020 Ian Daubney
2
People working with electronic circuits sometimes attach a conducting wristband to connect
them to earth.
(a) Explain why this is helpful.
(3 marks)
3
A paint spray gun is connected so that it passes a positive charge to the paint droplets as they
emerge from the nozzle. It is used to paint a metal car door.
(a) Explain how the use of charge helps the painting process.
(4 marks)
4
An aircraft is to be refuelled after landing. Before connecting the fuel hose, a conducting wire
is connected between the body of the plane and the refuelling truck.
Explain how this procedure helps to improve safety when refuelling the aircraft.
(3 marks)
© 2020 Ian Daubney
Name
11 Static Electricity
Class
Electric Fields
1
The Van de Graaff generator holds a positive charge on its dome. A negatively charged
balloon is brought near.
(a) Explain what will happen to the balloon.
(2 marks)
2
The two diagrams below show a charged metal sphere and a pair of charged metal plates.
(a) Add field lines to each of the diagrams to show the shape and direction of the electric
fields.
(4 marks)
© 2020 Ian Daubney
(b) Describe how the diagrams would need to be altered to represent the fields if the
amounts of charge on the sphere and plates is increased.
(2 marks)
(c) For the metal sphere, where would the electric field be the strongest?
(1 mark)
3
The diagram shows three small droplets of paint that have been positively charged. Each
charged droplet creates an electric field.
(a) Add arrows to the diagram to show the forces on each drop due to the electric fields of
the other two drops.
(3 marks)
(b) Describe the motion of the paint droplets due to the electric fields created by the charge
they carry.
(1 mark)
© 2020 Ian Daubney