GROUP 3:

TITLE: ELECTROSTATIC PHENOMENA AND ITS APPLICATION

GROUP MEMBERS ARE:

Irasubiza Saly Nelson
ishimwe jolie princess
Sitamusahau Ruth
Gatera Raissa
Ntwali David
Migisha Ivan
• Electrostatic phenomena : are all things that happen due to electric charges which are at rest.
Or
Are invisible forces and interactions that happen between electric charges when they are not
moving.
Electrostatic phenomena can cause some cool things to happen, like:
-Hair standing on the end when you rub a ballon on your head
-sparks : jumping between your fingers and a doorknob
-tiny particles sticking to surfaces due to static cling (charges of both objects).
All objects are made of atoms which consists of three sub-atominc particles which are electrons ,
protons and neutrons. Among those sub-atomic particles, electrons are the ones which can move
from one object to another.
When a body has more electrons than protons, it is said to be negatively charged and for a body
with more protons than electrons it is said to be positively charged.
 STATIC ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE

Static electricity discharge, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD), is a phenomenon that
occurs when there is a sudden flow of electric charge between two objects with different electrical
potentials. It is the release of built-up static electricity.
Static electricity is generated when there is an imbalance of electric charge on the surface of an
object. This can happen through various processes, such as friction, contact, or separation of
materials. When two objects come into contact or are close to each other, electrons can be
transferred from one object to another, resulting in an accumulation of charge on the surfaces.
 CONT...

. Static electricity discharge (ESD) protection in electronics:

• Application: in the electronics industry, electrostatic phenomena are crucial. ESD
protection devices, like diodes and transistors, prevent damage to electronic
components caused by the discharge of static electricity. This is vital in the
manufacturing and handling of sensitive electronic devices.
 APPLICATIONS CONT’D
4. Van de graaff generators for
physics demonstrations:

Application: van de graaff

generators accumulate and store
static electricity, creating high
voltages. They are often used in
physics demonstrations to
illustrate electrostatic phenomena
and principles.
 LIGHTNING

What is lightning?
Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs in the atmosphere. It is primarily
caused by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy within thunderstorms. Here's a
basic explanation of how lightning is generated:
What causes lightning?
In the upper part of the cloud, ice crystals become positively charged, while in the
lower part of the cloud, water droplets become negatively charged. This charge
separation creates an electric field within the cloud.
As a thunderstorm develops, different regions within the cloud become charged. This
separation of positive and negative charges is typically a result of the collision and
movement of ice particles and water droplets within the storm.
THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY TYPES OF LIGHTNING BASED ON THE REGION WITHIN A
THUNDERSTORM WHERE THE DISCHARGE OCCURS

There are two primary types of lightning based on the region within a
thunderstorm where the discharge occurs: intracloud lightning and cloud-to-ground
lightning.
1. Intracloud lightning (IC):
· Intracloud lightning, also known as "sheet lightning" or "anvil crawlers,"
occurs entirely within the thundercloud itself.
· It is the most common type of lightning and takes place between different
charge regions within the same cloud.
· Intracloud lightning is often seen as a flickering or flashing light within the
cloud, and it may not be as visible from the ground.
INTRACLOUD LIGHTNING
2. Cloud-to-ground lightning (CG):
· Cloud-to-ground lightning is the more visible and well-known type of lightning, as it involves
a discharge between the thundercloud and the earth's surface.
· It occurs when a stepped leader, initiated within the cloud, connects with an upward streamer
reaching up from the ground or another object on the surface.
· The visible flash we associate with lightning is the return stroke, which is the result of the
rapid flow of electrons along the ionized path.
· Cloud-to-ground lightning can be particularly dangerous, as it can strike objects on the ground,
leading to fires and posing a threat to people and animals.
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
 A LIGHTNING ARRESTOR

• A lightning arrestor is a device that protects electrical equipment from damage

• Caused by lightning strikes. Lightning arrestors work by providing a low-resistance
• Path for the lightning current to flow to the ground before it can damage the
• Equipment
 GOLD LEAF ELECTROSCOPE
SOME APPLICATIONS OF A GOLD LEAF ELECTROSCOPE
detect charge
for the detection of charge, the object that needs to be tested
is touched with the metal cap. if the leaves diverge, the
body is said to be charged, and if there is no change in the
leaves of the electroscope, then the body is uncharged.
 VAD DE GRAPH

A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic generator designed to produce high voltages.

Invented by American physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff in 1929, this device consists of a large,
hollow metal sphere mounted on a column, with a rubber belt running between two pulleys. The
generator operates by using the triboelectric effect (frictional charging) as the belt moves, causing
the accumulation of electrostatic charge on the metal sphere. This continuous process results in
the generation of high voltages, reaching levels in the megavolt range. Van de Graaff generators
are commonly used for educational demonstrations in physics to illustrate principles of
electrostatics, and they also find applications in nuclear physics experiments. The safety measures
are crucial when operating these generators to prevent electric shocks.
 METHODS OF CHARGING BODIES

Charging by friction:
The charging by friction process involves
rubbing of one particle on another resulting in
electrons moving from one surface to another.
This method is useful for charging insulators.
Charging by conduction:
The charging by conduction process involves
touching of a charged particle to a conductive
material. This way, the charges are transferred
from the charged material to the conductor. This
method is useful for charging conductors.
Charging by induction:
Lastly, the induction charging is a charging method that
charges an object without actually touching the object
to any other charged object. The charging by induction
process is where the charged particle is held near an
uncharged conductive material that is grounded on a
neutrally charged material. The charge flows between
two objects and the uncharged conductive material
develop a charge with opposite polarity. These were the
different methods of charge transfer
 DO YOU KNOW WHY ARE METAL
CHAINS ARE ATTACHED TO PETROL
TANKER? HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

As the tanker moves, friction between the tires and the road
can generate static electricity. This static electricity builds up
on the metal body of the tanker if the charge buildup is high
enough, a spark could occur if the tanker comes into contact
with something that can discharge the electricity, such as
another vehicle or metal object in the case of a petrol tanker,
even a small spark could be enough to ignite the fuel vapor
around the tank, causing a potentially disastrous explosion.The
metal chain acts as a grounding mechanism. It provides a path
for the static electricity to flow away from the tanker and into
the ground, where it is safely dissipated. This helps to prevent
the buildup of charge and reduces the risk of sparking.
 SOME DANGERS POSED BY STATIC
ELECTRICITY ARE:

1. Electric shock due to the

flow of current through
the body.
3. Burns, or stopping the heart.
4. Fires or explosions due to the
ignition of flammable or
explosive.
 SOME OTHER APPLICATIONS

- Inkjet and laser printing

-Electrostatic precipitators for air pollution control:
- Electrostatic motors:
- Electrostatic air cleaners: