19,879
edits
Changes
→Key Stage 4
: A [[material]] that gains [[electron]]s becomes [[Negative Charge|negatively charged]].
: A [[material]] which loses [[electron]]s becomes [[Positive Charge|positively charged]].
: Once a [[material]] has become '''statically charged''' it will [[repel]] anything with the same [[Electrical Charge|charge]] and [[attract]] anything with the opposite [[Electrical Charge|charge]]. This happens due to the [[Electrostatic Force|electrostatic force]]which acts at a distance.
: [[Lightning]] is caused by a build up of '''static electricity''' in which clouds gain [[electron]]s from the ground. The [[Electrical Charge|charge]] builds up until the [[Electrostatic Force|electrostatic force]] is so large that the [[electron]]s are able to jump to the ground as a bolt of [[lightning]].
: A '''static charge''' can also be [[Electrostatic Induction|induced]] in a [[Neutral Charge|neutral]] [[object]]. This happens when a [[Electrical Charge|charged]] [[object]] is placed close to a [[Neutral Charge|neutral]] [[object]]. Since the [[electron]]s in the [[Neutral Charge|neutral]] [[object]] can move then they move towards a [[Positive Charge|positive charge]] and away from a [[Negative Charge|negative charge]]. This allows the [[Neutral Charge|neutral]] [[object]] to become slightly [[Electrical Charge|charged]] at one side. This is [[Electrostatic Induction|electrostatic induction]].
To learn more about [[Static Electricity]] click on each of the picture below for a PHET simulation.