Essential Lab #6

Static Electricity

Division of ScienceMary Tweedy, Curriculum Support SpecialistKeisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist

Dr. Millard Lightburn, Supervisor Elementary Science

What Do You Know About Atoms?• All matter is made up of tiny particles

called atoms.• Atoms contain protons, electrons and

neutrons.• Protons have a positive charge, electrons a

negative charge, and neutrons a neutral charge.

• There are 115 different atoms.• All matter is made up of different

combinations of these atoms.

Atomshttp://sciencespot.net/Media/atomsfam.pdf

Let’s Model the Parts of an Atom

• Need: 8 Volunteers (2 neutrons, 2 electrons, 2 protons, 1 nucleus, and 1 atom)

Here’s what to do:• Atom” person holds up the sign and stands near the

outside of the circles. • The “Nucleus” stands inside the circle and hold his/her sign

up• The 2 “Protons” go inside the center of the circle. • The 2 “Neutrons” go inside the circle• One “Electron” stands on each of the outer circles• “Both Electrons” walk quickly around their orbit

• All: Draw a diagram of the model we just made in your journal.

All matter is made up of tiny particles called _____.

What are an atom’s 3 basic parts?

1. Neutrons2. Protons3. Electrons

What are their electrical charges?

a. Neutralb. Positivec. Negative

What do Atoms have to do with Static Electricity?

Check this out:

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/phy03_vid_zsnap/

Discovery Video: Static Electricity

Now it’s Your Turn to ExploreEssential Lab #6 Static ElectricityKey Question: How does static electricity cause objects to attract or repel?

Rotate through the 4 stations, follow the directions, and

record your data in the chart.

Key Question: How does static electricity cause objects to attract or repel?

Explain/Evaluatea. How does what you observed at Station 1 provide evidence to answer your key question?

b. How does what you observed at Station 2 provide evidence to answer your key question?

c. How does what you observed at Station 3 provide evidence to answer your key question?

d. How does what you observed at Station 4 provide evidence to answer your key question?

Let’s Take Another LookThe protons’ positive charges and their electrons’ negative charges are typically electrically balanced in an atom.

Rubbing the balloon on one’s hair (friction) causes it to gain electrons and become negatively charged. This makes your hair stand on end by giving them all the same charge, making them repel one another.

- +

- +- +- +

Try This: Discovery Exploration: Static Electricity

Rubbing the balloon on your hair, gives it a surplus of electrons. A wall will have an opposite charge, causing them to attract one another and allowing the balloon to stick to the wall.

What Do You Know Now?

• What is static electricity?• When does a static charge build up on an

object?• What happens when a static charge builds

up on an object?• What is an example from nature of static

electricity?

What is Static Electricity?

• Static electricity is a buildup of electrical charge in an object.

• Friction can cause a static charge buildup.

• Static charge causes objects to attract or repel.

• Static charge can be released as a brief burst of electrical energy, sometimes visible as a spark, and felt as a shock.

Discovery Reading Passage: Don’t Move

When Does a Static Charge Build Up on an Object?

There are forces that can change an object’s electrical charge. One such force is friction. Friction is produced by rubbing two objects together. For example, when you walk across the floor, your shoes rub against the carpet. This creates friction. The friction causes electrons to flow from the carpet to your body. Both your body and the carpet become electrically charged.

What causes static electricity?

• http://www.ehow.com/video_4756347_what-causes-static-electricity.html

What Happens When a Static Charge Builds Up on an Object?

An electrically charged object can exert a force on other objects. A charged object will pull on uncharged objects and on objects that have an opposite charge. A charged object will push away another charged object that has the same charge. Static charge can also jump from a charged object to another object. The shock you might feel after rubbing your feet on the carpet is an example of this jump of electrical charge.

What is an Example of Static Electricity that is Found in Nature?

Lightning is the release of a very large static charge. Friction causes static electricity to build up in the clouds. Sometimes, electrons jump from cloud to cloud, releasing a very large static charge. The sky lights up, and we see a flash of lightning. Sometimes electrons jump from the cloud to the ground. This creates another flash of lightning.

RESOURCES• Study Jams - Atoms: Protons, Neutron and Electronshttp://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/atoms.htm• http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/phy03_vid_zsnap/• Bill Nye http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-77IzaXGcg&safe=active• http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/static.html• http://

www.ehow.com/how-does_4564266_static-electricity-work.html

• http://sciencespot.net/Media/atomsfam.pdf (Atom’s Family)• Study Jams- Electricity: http://

studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/electricity.htm

• www.Chem4kids.com