Static Electricity

Static electricity is caused by the transfer of charge. Atoms are made up of: Protons (+) Found In Nucleus Electrons (-) Found in Shells Neutrons (No Charge) Found in Nucleus The protons and neutrons are tightly packed together in the nucleus.If an atom loses an electron the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons and the atoms becomes positively charged. If an atom gains an electrons the number of protons become less than the number of electrons therefore the atom becomes negatively charged.One method in which electrons can be transferred is by rubbing together two insulators. Rubbing causes friction between the two surfaces this then increases the surface contact allowing more electrons to be transferred. The object that loses electrons becomes positively charged and the one that gains electrons become negatively charged. Therefore .... Static Electricity is the imbalance of Positive and Negative Charge.

Attraction & Repulsion Only electrons can move as the protons and neutrons are fixed together in the Nucleus. Rubbing materials together only works for insulated objects. Conductors direct the charge flow to earth. When two electrically charged bodies are brought together they exert a force on each other. Electrically charged objects may attract or repel each other or attract small uncharged objected place near them. Opposite charges attract. Like charges repel. Example Balloon. A balloon can stick to a wall with the principle of electrostatic. When a balloon is rubbed against clothes, the negative electrons from the clothes get transferred to the balloon making the balloon negatively charged. When the balloon is placed next to the wall (a neutral object) It stays stuck to the wall. This is because the negative charge of the balloon repels some of the electrons in the wall. This results in an overall positively charged surface causing the negatively charged balloon to be attracted. The separate charges in the wall are called Induced Charges

Conductors & Insulators Conductors are materials which allow the electrons to move freely inside them. All metals are good conductors because they contain a large number of free electrons inside them that can move freely from atom to atom. Insulators do not allow electrons to pass through them. They do not contain free electrons inside them.