Static electricity

Sections covered: Charging by friction and the transfer of charge Dangers of static electricity. Practical demonstrations of charge Van der Graaf generator Uses of static electricity

Charge
CHARGE (Q) is the amount of CURRENT (I) which flows in a certain time (t)

Q= ti
Q= charge in Coulombs (C) t=time in seconds (s) I =current in Amperes (A)

Van de Graaff Generator

The motor turns the rubber band and friction between the band and the rollers starts to build up huge amounts of charge.

Electrostatic Precipitator for removing smoke pollution from factories and power stations
Key 1. Smoke particles pick up a -ve charge as they pass through a ve charged grid. 2. Smoke particles are attracted to the +ve charged collecting plates. 3. Collecting plates are knocked to remove the smoke particles which fall

Lightning
n a storm, rain and ice particles collide, separating charge in the cloud. s a negative stepped leader descends from the cloud, positive If the force between the 2 charges gets strong charge is attracted at enough, electricity flows upwards from the the ground. ground to neutralise the charge. Return stroke, from ground to cloud in less than 100

Photocopier/Laser printer

Charging by friction
When you rub wool against a piece of polythene Both objects become equally charged, with opposite charges because electrons (only) have moved.