Static Electricity

• Most objects have no overall charge and are

neutral.
• Uncharged objects become charged by
gaining or losing electrons.
– Loses electrons it has more protons OR (+)
charges and has an overall POSITIVE (+) charge
– Gains electrons it has more electrons OR (-)
charges and has an overall NEGATIVE (-)charge
– THE BUILDUP OF CHARGES IS CALLED
– STATIC ELECTRICITY
 Static Electricity
• Charges build up on an object, but they do
not flow continuously.
Transferring Charge
• There are three methods
by which charges can be
transferred to build up
static electricity: charging
by friction, by conduction,
and by induction.
TRANSFERRING CHARGES

Friction: 2 uncharged objects rub together, some electrons

move from one object to another

Conduction: a charged object touches another object,

electrons can be transferred
(more negative to more positive)

Induction: movement of electrons to one part of an object

that is caused by the electric field of a second object
 Transferring Charge
• Electroscopes are instruments that can be
used to detect the presence of a charge.
Static Discharge: The loss of
static electricity as electric
charges transfer from one object
to another is called STATIC
DISCHARGE
produces a spark because the
moving electrons heat the air
LIGHTNING is an example of
Static discharge.