Electricity – Flashcards

Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and electrons have a charge while neutrons do not Protons- positive charge Neutrons- no charge Amount of positive charge on proton equals negative charge on an electron

When both charges are equal they will cancel each other out and no electric charge. electrons are bound more tightly to some atoms and molecules. The accumulation of excess electric charge on an object is called static electricity.

When object becomes charged, charge is neither created nor destroyed. It is electrons that have moved from one object to another. Law of conservation of charge, charge can be transferred from object to object, but its cannot be created or destroyed.

An electric field surrounds every electric charge and exerts the force that causes other electric charges to attract or repel. Electric fields are represented by arrows showing the electric field would make a positive charge move.

A material in which electrons are able to move easily is a conductor. Best electrical conductor is metal.

material in which electrons are not able to move easily is an insulator. Electrons are held tightly to atoms in insulators. Most plastics are insulators.

Process of transferring charge by touching or rubbing is called charging by contact.

Electrical forces act at a distance, charged objects brought near a neutral object will cause electrons to rearrange their position on that neutral object. The rearrangement of electrons on a neutral object caused by a nearby charged object is called Charging by induction

Lightning is a large static discharge which means a transfer of charge between two objects because of the buildup of static electricity. Thundercloud is a mighty generator of static electricity. Movement in air will build up the negative and positive charge up.

The electrical energy in a lightning bolt rips electrons off atoms in the air and produces great amounts of thermal energy. The hot air in the lightning bolt's path expands rapidly producing sound waves that you hear as thunder.

Any object connected to Earth by a good conductor will transfer any excess electric charge to Earth Connecting an object to Earth with a conductor is called grounding.

The presence of electric charges can be detected by an electroscope.