Uses & Dangers of Static Electricity Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Why are the paint or insecticide droplets from a sprayer all given the same charge?

They repel each other, so the spray spreads out into a wider, finer, more even cloud.

True or false? A sprayer gives paint droplets a positive charge by adding protons to them.

False. It removes electrons from the droplets; protons are never transferred.

Why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling a car or aircraft?

Friction as fuel flows charges the pipe and vehicle; a spark from the discharge could ignite the fuel vapour.

How does earthing a fuel tanker prevent an explosion?

A metal conductor to earth lets electrons flow to or from the ground, so charge cannot build up and spark.

True or false? Earthing removes excess positive charge by letting protons flow away into the earth.

False. Electrons flow from the earth onto the object to cancel the positive charge.