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Conductors and Insulators
Metals are good conductors. Conductors
are substances that let electrons move
easily from one atom to the next atom.
Examples of good conductors are gold,
silver and copper.
An insulator is a substance that does NOT
let electrons move easily from one atom to
the next atom. Examples are plastic, rubber
and wood.
In an insulator the electric charge stays in
one location. This is how we are drawing
the charge diagrams for static charges by
friction or contact.
Insulator - Negative Rubber 8+ 12-
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In this example the rubber was rubbed on
the left side by silk and got a negative
charge. The excess electrons stay on the
left side.
Conductor - Negative Copper 8+ 12-
In a conductor the electric charge is evenly
distributed in the substance. In this
example the copper plate was rubbed on
the left side by silk and got a negative
charge. However, the excess of electrons is
evenly distributed and the whole copper
plate is charged.
Discharging means a charged object has the
electrons and protons equalized. This is
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done by adding or removing electrons.
Grounding means a charged object shares
its electrical charge with the Earth and
becomes neutral. The charged object
discharges any excess electrons or gains
electrons.
Read Nelson
pg 280-283 Do p 281 #2-4, p283 #1-3
SNC1D – Static Electricity
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Conductors and Insulators
Metals are good conductors. Conductors are _______________________________________
_________________from one atom to the next atom. Examples of good conductors are
_____________________________
An insulator is a substance that _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________. Examples are
____________________________________________ .
In an insulator the electric _________________________________________. This is how we
are drawing the charge diagrams for static charges by friction or contact.
__________________________________
In this example the rubber was __________________________________________________
______________________________. The excess electrons stay on the left side.
_________________________________________
In a conductor the ____________________________________________________________
___________________________. In this example the copper plate was rubbed on the left side
by silk and got a negative charge. However, the ______________________________________
________________________and the whole copper plate is charged.
Discharging means a charged object has the electrons and protons ____________________.
This is done by __________________ or ________________ electrons. Grounding means
______________________________________________________________________________
and becomes ________________. The charged object discharges any excess electrons or gains
electrons.
Read Nelson p 280-283, do p 281 #2-4, and p. 283 #1-3
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Homework Questions Nelson p281 – #2-4, 283 – #1-3 (Read pp. 281-283)
2. (a) Why does the amount of static charge continue to increase on a glass surface as you rub
it? (b) What would eventually happen if you continued rubbing it?
3. If you charged the end of a plastic comb and then put the same kind of charge on one place
on the surface of a round metal ball on an insulating stand, what would happen to the
charge in each case? Explain why with the help of a diagram.
4. Why are problems with static electricity more common in winter than at other times of the
year? How could any of these problems be reduced?
-------1. What is the meaning of the term “discharge”?
2. Why does Earth not become charged when so many electrons are constantly flowing into it
as various devices are grounded?
3. (a) Why does the flow of gasoline through the hose and nozzle of a gas pump produce a
static charge? (b) Why is there no static discharge at a gas station when the nozzle of the
pump is brought up to the car’s fuel tank opening?