Chapter 16 Static Electricity

Electric Charge
● All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms.
● An atom consists of 3 important components: electrons, protons and neutrons.
● In Chemistry, we can determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons of every
known element from the periodic table.
● For example: a neutral oxygen atom is made up of 8 protons, 8 electrons and 8
neutrons.
○ The region that consists of protons and neutrons only is called the nucleus.
○ All electrons move around the nucleus in no fixed orbits.

● Neutrons do not carry any charge.

● Protons carry positive charge and electrons carry negative charge.
● If an atom has the equal number of protons and electrons, it is a neutral atom.
● Electrons can move from one atom to another. Hence the number of electrons in an
atom can change.
● Protons and neutrons do not move from one atom to another. Hence the number of
protons and neutrons in an atom is always constant.
● An atom will be positively charged when it loses electrons because it has more protons
than electrons.
● An atom will be negatively charged when it gains electrons because it has more
electrons than protons.
● When two charges are placed near to each other, both charges will experience a force F,
known as electric force.
● Like charges repel each other.
● Unlike charges attract each other.

● If an object has an equal amount of positive and negative charges, it has no net charge.
It is known as an electrically neutral object.
● An object will have net positive charge if it lacks negative charges.
● Similarly, an object will have net negative charges if it has excess of negative charges.
● When two charged objects are brought together, the objects will experience either
attractive or repulsive force.
● Sl unit for charge is coulomb (C)

Electrostatic Charging and Discharging

● Materials in which electrons can move freely are known as electrical conductors.
○ Examples: ALL metals, carbon, water
 ○ Why metals?
i. The outer electrons of the atom are loosely bound and can move about
easily within the metal.
● Materials in which electrons cannot move freely are known as electrical insulators.
○ Examples: Most non-metals like rubber, plastic and glass.
○ Why most non-metals?
i. The electrons of the insulators are firmly bound in the atom and cannot
move freely.
● Electrical charges (Positive charges and negative charges) cannot be created or
destroyed.
● The charge of an object will change when it loses or gains electrons.
● Discharging: the process of neutralizing a charged object.
○ An object is neutralized when there is no net charge.
○ The number of positive charges (protons) is equal to the number of negative
charges (electrons).

● Charging: the process of causing an object to be charged.

○ Positively charged when the number of electrons is less than the number of
protons.
○ Negatively charged when the number of electrons is more than the number of
protons.
Charging Two Conductors by induction

Electric Field
● Electric field: A region where an electric charge experiences an electric force.
● Represented using arrow lines which is also known as electric field lines.
● For positive charges, electric field lines are pointing outwards.
● For negative charges, electric field lines are pointing inwards.
Electric Field Between Charges
Electric Field Between One Charge and A Plane
Electric Field Between Two Planes
Hazards of Electrostatics
● Lightning
○ Ice particles and water droplets in the clouds collide each other and cause the
separation of large amounts of positive and negative charges.
○ Surrounding air is ionized and provides a pathway for the charges to be
discharged as lightning.

● Flammable materials
○ Electrostatic discharge creates spark, which can ignite flammable materials and
cause fire or explosion to occur.
○ We are not allowed to use handphones in petrol stations.
○ Trucks that transport petrol or flammable materials are earthed by hanging a
metal chain from the rear to the ground.

● Antistatic bags
○ Some electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic charges and can be
damaged by electrostatic discharge.
○ Antistatic bags are used to store these components to protect them from
electrostatic charges.
○ Electronic factory workers need to wear antistatic gowns, gloves and shoes
before entering the factory.

Applications of Electrosatics