Static Electricity

Charging by friction, attraction and repulsion

Static Electricity

Static electricity is a build-up of electric charge on the surface of an object. It occurs when electrons are transferred from one object to another by friction. Opposite charges attract; same charges repel.

Example

Observing Static Electricity

Rub a balloon on your hair — it gains electrons and becomes negatively charged, and can attract small paper pieces. Lightning is static electricity: charge builds up in clouds until it discharges as a massive spark.

Note

Key Point

There are two types of charge: positive and negative. Like charges repel; unlike charges attract. An electroscope detects static charge.

Key Vocabulary

Static electricityElectric charge that builds up on the surface of objects

ElectronA tiny negatively charged particle found in atoms

AttractTo pull towards — opposite charges attract each other

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Static electricity

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