Electric Charge Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
When two insulators are rubbed together, which particles move?
Electrons only — protons never move.
What are the steps to explain how rubbing charges an insulator?
e.g. rubbing a plastic comb with a dry cloth so the comb becomes positive- Friction between the two materials.
- Electrons are transferred from the comb onto the cloth.
- The cloth gains electrons so is negative; the comb is left with an equal positive charge.
What charge is left on a material that loses electrons by friction?
Positive, and equal in size to the negative charge gained by the other material.
True or false? When you rub a balloon on a jumper, protons move from the jumper to the balloon.
False. Only electrons are transferred; protons stay fixed in the nuclei.
State the rule for the force between two electric charges.
Like charges repel; unlike charges attract.
True or false? Two spheres that are both given a negative charge will attract each other.
False. Like charges repel, so the spheres push each other apart.