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Static ElectricityOCS Applied Science

Static Electricity

The build-up of electric charge in one place

OCS Applied ScienceU6 L22

Atoms All matter is made of atoms Atoms are too small to be seen

with our eyes Parts of atom

Protons – have positive charge Neutrons – have NO charge Electrons – have negative

charge

OCS Applied Science

Location of Parts Nucleus

Protons and Neutrons Outside Nucleus

Electrons

What creates Static Electricity? Static electricity is created when the

positive and negative charges are not balanced

Most of the time , atoms have the same number of positive and negative charges so they are neutral, meaning they are not positive or negative.

This atom has

6 protons and

6 electrons, so

it is neutral

Moving Electrons = charge Since the protons and the neutrons are

in the nucleus, they do not move around too much

The electrons jump all over the place

Static shock! As you walk across the carpet, electric

charge builds up on your body. When you shuffle your feet you pick up electrons from the carpet

When you reach for a doorknob, the charge is released.

 This causes you to get shocked

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How this works Opposite charges attract

The negatively charged electrons want to move to the positively charged door

Like charges repel So electrons want to move away

from each other

Static Electricity and Winter You see more static charge in the winter

since the air is dry Example

Hair sticking up after taking off a hat Hair builds up negative charge Negatives repel

Static Electricity

Electrical charge can be given off in the form of sparks

 Static cling is the build-up of static electricity in materials like clothing.

Lightning is caused by the buildup of charges between the clouds and ground. Electrons build up in clouds and

jump to the ground, causing a spark

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Safety Tips Static electricity can

be dangerous Never get back into

your car while pumping gas

Don’t use your cell phone when pumping gas You could build up

charge and create a spark

Sparks can cause gasoline to catch on fire!

Safety tips Stay inside during

thunderstorms if possible (thunder is the sound

of lightning) Avoid contact with

metal Avoid water If you are outside,

seek low lying areas away from trees

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