Static Electricity

Static Electricity
Static (electric shock) occurs when an object obtains a net amount of positive or negative
charge creating an imbalance which wants to be returned to equilibrium.
All matter contains positive and negative charges
In liquids and gases the positive and negative charges can be mobile
In metals the electros can be mobile and the positive charges remain fixed.
Neutral bodies have the same amount of positive and negative charges, these therefore
cancel.
Like charges (+ and +, or – and –) repel, while unlike charges (+ and –) attract.
The force between electric charges decreases as their separation increases.
Positive and negative charges
Conductors and insulators

In an insulator all electrons are bound firmly to their atoms
A material is a conductor because electrons can move freely from atom to atom.
Good insulators plastics such as:
◦ polythene, cellulose acetate, Perspex and nylon.
◦ Dry air insulates well.
Good conductors
◦ All metals and graphite
Semi-conductors
◦ In between are materials that are both poor conductors and (because they
conduct to some extent) poor insulators. Examples are wood, paper, cotton, the human
body and the Earth.
Water conducts and if it were not present in materials like wood and on the surface of, for
example, glass, these would be good insulators.
Electrostatic Induction
This is the process by which electrical properties are transferred from one body to another
without physical contact
Charging by Friction
 Electrons transfer from the surface of the glass rod unto the cloth, leaving the glass
with excess positive charge and the cloth with excess negative charge
 Electrons transfer from the cloth unto the surface of the polythene rod leaving the
polythene with excess negative charge and the cloth with excess positive charge.
Note that it is only electrons which move; the protons remain fixed in the nucleus.
Charging by Contact
Electric Field
The region of space where an electric charge experiences a force due to other charges is
called an electric field.
The direction of the field, denoted by arrows, is the direction of the force on a small
positive charge placed in the field (negative charges experience a force in the opposite
direction to the field).
Moving charges are deflected by an electric field due to the electric force exerted on them
Dangers of static electric

a) Lighting
A tall building is protected by a lightning conductor consisting of a thick copper strip fixed
on the outside of the building connecting metal spikes at the top to a metal plate in the
ground (Figure 35.7). Thunderclouds carry charges; a negatively charged cloud passing
overhead repels electrons from the spikes to the Earth. The points of the spikes are left with
a large positive charge (charge concentrates on sharp points) which removes electrons
from nearby air molecules, so charging them positively and causing them to be repelled
from the spike. This effect, called action at points, results in an ‘electric wind’ of positive
air molecules streaming upwards which can neutralise electrons discharging from the
thundercloud in a lightning flash. If a flash occurs it is now less violent and the conductor
gives it an easy path to ground.
b) Refuelling
Sparks from static electricity can be dangerous when flammable vapour is present. For this
reason, the tanks in an oil tanker may be cleaned in an atmosphere of nitrogen – otherwise
oxygen in the air could promote a fire. An aircraft in flight may become charged by
‘rubbing’ the air. Its tyres are made of conducting rubber which lets the charge pass
harmlessly to ground on landing, otherwise an explosion could be ‘sparked off’ when the
aircraft refuels. What precautions are taken at petrol pumps when a car is refuelled?
c) Operating theatres
Dust and germs are attracted by charged objects and so it is essential to ensure that
equipment and medical personnel are well ‘earthed’ allowing electrons to flow to and from
the ground, for example by conducting rubber.
d) Computers
Computers require similar ‘anti-static’ conditions as they are vulnerable to electrostatic
damage.
Uses of Static Electricity
a) Flue-ash precipitation
An electrostatic precipitator removes the dust and ash that goes up the chimneys of
coal-burning power stations. It consists of a charged fine wire mesh which gives a
similar charge to the rising particles of ash. They are then attracted to plates with an
opposite charge. These are tapped from time to time to remove the ash, which falls to
the bottom of the chimney from where it is removed.
b) Photocopiers
These contain a charged drum and when the paper to be copied is laid on the glass
plate, the light reflected from the white parts of the paper causes the charge to
disappear from the corresponding parts of the drum opposite. The charge pattern
remaining on the drum corresponds to the darkcoloured printing on the original.
Special toner powder is then dusted over the drum and sticks to those parts which are
still charged. When a sheet of paper passes over the drum, the particles of toner are
attracted to it and fused into place by a short burst of heat.
c) Inkjet printers
In an inkjet printer tiny drops of ink are forced out of a fine nozzle, charged
electrostatically and then passed between two oppositely charged plates; a negatively
charged drop will be attracted towards the positive plate causing it to be deflected as
shown in Figure 35.8. The amount of deflection and hence the position at which the ink
strikes the page is determined by the charge on the drop and the p.d. between the
plates; both of these are controlled by a computer. About 100 precisely located drops
are needed to make up an individual letter but very fast printing speeds can be
achieved.

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Conductors and insulators

Dangers of static electric

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