School: Kaminzekenzeke Day Secondary

Date: ………September, 2015

Class: 12
Time: …………………………..
Subject: Physics
Duration: …………………….
Topic: Electricity and magnetism
No of pupils: ……………….
Subtopic: Electricity and practical electricity

Objectives: upon completion of the lesson PSBAT;

-recall the definition of static electricity

-recall the origin of charges

- recall the types of charges

-recall the law static electricity

-describe how to charge objects

-explain how to detect charges

-state the hazards of static electricity

Pre-requisite knowledge: pupils already know the origin of charges

Reference: Physics 10-12

Lesson process

Stage Teacher/pupil’s activity Learning points

Intro Revise previous work
-teacher and pupils recall the
following ;
-definition of static electricity
- the origin of charges
- the types of charges
- the law static electricity
Definition:
- static electricity is the study of stationary electric charges
Origin Of Charges:
- All matter is made up of atoms
- The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons
when the atom is electrically neutral
-An atom which gains electrons becomes negatively charged
while the one that loses is left with more protons becoming
positively charge
The Types Of Charges:
- There are two types of electric charges namely;
 Positive (+) charge
 Negative (-) charge

The Law Static Electricity:

 Like charges repel
 Unlike charges attract.
Development -teacher and pupils describe how Two methods of charging objects:
1 to charge objects 1. Electrostatic induction
2. Charging by friction (contact or rubbing)
Charging by friction or contact:
This is a simple way to charge objects.
When objects are rubbed, they become charged.
Atoms at the surfaces are disturbed by friction,
some electrons escape from one object and move
on to the other object.
Therefore an object becomes negatively charged
when it gains electrons and positively charged
when it loses electrons.
 examples:
-rubbing a plastic ruler with hair and hold it near
some tiny piece of paper.
Electrostatic induction:
Electrostatic induction is the process of charging an
object if it is brought near but not in direct contact
with a charged object.
 Examples:
 Charging a metal sphere
 A negative strip is brought near the left side of the
sphere but not touching it. Electrons are repelled
to the right leaving positive charges on the left. The
sphere is then earthed by a finger. Electrons flow
through the hand to the earth.
 With the strip still held near the sphere, move the
finger away.
 Move away the negative strip. The sphere is now
charged with positive charge.

 Charging two metal spheres

 A negative strip is brought near the left side of the
sphere but not touching it. Induction takes place;
electrons are repelled to the right, leaving the
positive charges on the left sphere.
 With the strip still held near the left sphere,
separate the two spheres.
 Move away the negative strip. The two spheres are
charged.
2 -teacher and pupils explain how
to detect charges
Identifying an unknown charge:
Gold Leaf Electroscope:
It is a very sensitive instrument used for detecting
and testing electric charges
It consists of:
 Brass rod and gold leaf
 Brass metal disc (cap) on top of the rod
 Insulator
 Metal case with glass window
Brass cap Insulato
(disc) r
Metal Metal
case rod
Brass Gold
plate leaf
When the electroscope is positively charged, and a
charged object of unknown charge is placed near
it, two things may be observed;
 The gold may further diverge or collapse. If the
leave diverges further, then the object is
positive
 If the leaf falls either the object is negatively
charged or uncharged
When the electroscope is negatively charged, and
a charged object of unknown charge is placed near
it, two things may be observed;
 The gold may further diverge or collapse. If the
leave diverges further, then the object is
negative
 If the leaf falls either the object is positively
charged or uncharged

3 -teacher and pupils state the
hazards of static electricity
Conclusion Homework
1. State the methods of
charging objects.
2. Describe how you can
charge an object by the
methods you mentioned in
question 1 above
3. State the law of static
electricity
4. Explain how you can use a
gold leaf electroscope to
Repulsion is the only sure way to test for charges it
occurs between charged objects only.
Hazards Of Static Electricity:
Electric shock
 Can be caused if a large charged objects
dicharges through you body
Causing fire or explosion
 A spark may occur near charged object. if
there is a flammbe liquid nearby, the spark
may cause fire or explosion
Lightening
 A lightening is a discharge of charges
(electrons) between two charged clouds or
between a charged cloud and the earth. In
thunderstom, clouds become charged by
friction with air current. Due to huge amount
of charges on the cloud, the lightening flash
produced is so huge that it can burn forests,
damage houses and kill people.
Application of Static Electricity:
Photocopier
 A photocopier uses static electricity to make
photocopy of a document.
 identify unknown charges
on a charged object.
5. With the aid of a diagram
state what would happen
if a positively charged
metal rod is brought near
an insulated uncharged
metal sphere.
6. Explain why would
repulsion be more
conclusive proof of the
nature of the charge on a
charged object?

Evaluation____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________