SNC1D – Static Electricity
Page: ______
Introduction to Static Electricity
Energy is the ability to do work. One kind of energy is electrical
energy. Electrical energy can be changed to heat, light or sound
energy. There are two types of electrical energy- static and current.
1. Static Electricity – The electric charge stays in one place.
Usually found on insulators.
2. Current Electricity – The electrical charge moves.
Usually found on conductors and called electricity.
The Electrical Nature of Matter
All matter is made up of atoms. All atoms have a dense nucleus with
positively charged protons and neutral neutrons.. A cloud of tiny
negatively charged particles called electrons surround the nucleus. In
each atom, the number of electrons surrounding the nucleus equals
the number of protons in the nucleus. A single atom is always
electrically neutral. When an atom becomes charged, ONLY electrons
move from atom to atom.
SNC1D – Static Electricity
Page: ______
Three subatomic particles of an atom:
Subatomic Electrical
Particle
Charge
Location in
Atom
Size
Proton
+
In nucleus of an
atom
Very small
Neutron
0
In nucleus of an
atom
Very small
-
Orbit around the Very very very
nucleus
small
Electron
Three conclusions to remember
1. All matter is made of atoms, usually neutrally charged.
2. All atoms have a dense nucleus with protons and neutrons and the
very tiny electrons orbit around the nucleus.
3. Only electrons can move from one atom to another atom.
If you remove electrons from a neutral atom, the atom becomes
positively charged.
If you add electrons to a neutral atom, the atom becomes negatively
charged.
SNC1D – Static Electricity
Page: ______
The Law of Electrical Charges
1. Like charges repel
2. Unlike charges attract
3. Neutral charges have no reaction to neutral charges.
- (the exception)
Homework: Read p 272-273 (Nelson 1999) do #1 a,b and #2 a, b
SNC1D – Static Electricity
Page: ______
Introduction to Static Electricity
Energy is the _______________________________. One kind of energy is electrical energy. Electrical
energy can be changed to ______________________________ There are two types of electrical energy _____________and _____________________.
1. Static Electricity – ___________________________________________, usually found on insulators.
2. Current Electricity – _________________________________________________. Usually found on
conductors and called electricity.
The Electrical Nature of Matter
All matter is ____________________________________. All atoms have a dense nucleus with positively
charged _____________ and neutral ______________. A cloud of tiny negatively charged particles
called _________________surround the nucleus. In each atom, _______________________
___________surrounding the nucleus equals____________________________________ in the nucleus.
A single atom is always electrically neutral. When an atom becomes charged, ONLY ________________
_______________________________________
Three subatomic particles of an atom: (Review)
Subatomic
Particle
Electrical Charge
Location in Atom
Size
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Three conclusions to remember
1. All matter is ___________________________, usually neutrally charged.
2. All atoms have a dense nucleus with protons and neutrons and the very tiny electrons orbit
________________________________.
3. Only ________________ can move from one atom to another atom.
If you __________________ electrons from a neutral atom, the atom becomes __________________
charged.
If you ________________ electrons to a neutral atom, the atom becomes _______________ charged.
SNC1D – Static Electricity
Page: ______
The Law of Electrical Charges
1. Like charges___________________
2. Unlike charges ___________________
3. Neutral charges have no reaction to neutral
charges. - (the exception)
Homework:
Read p 272-273 (Nelson 1999)
Using the Law of Electric Charges, predict the charge on the unmarked balls (+, - or 0). Some may have
more than one possible answer.
1. Why is the term “static” electricity used? Describe a situation involving static electricity to explain
your answer.
2. Outline a procedure you could use to demonstrate the Law of Electric Charges. (i.e. what objects
would you use, what would you do with them, etc.)