Static Electricity • Most objects have no overall charge and are neutral. • Uncharged objects become charged by gaining or losing electrons. – Loses electrons it has more protons OR (+) charges and has an overall POSITIVE (+) charge – Gains electrons it has more electrons OR (-) charges and has an overall NEGATIVE (-)charge – THE BUILDUP OF CHARGES IS CALLED – STATIC ELECTRICITY Static Electricity • Charges build up on an object, but they do not flow continuously. Transferring Charge • There are three methods by which charges can be transferred to build up static electricity: charging by friction, by conduction, and by induction. TRANSFERRING CHARGES Friction: 2 uncharged objects rub together, some electrons move from one object to another Conduction: a charged object touches another object, electrons can be transferred (more negative to more positive) Induction: movement of electrons to one part of an object that is caused by the electric field of a second object Transferring Charge • Electroscopes are instruments that can be used to detect the presence of a charge. Static Discharge: The loss of static electricity as electric charges transfer from one object to another is called STATIC DISCHARGE produces a spark because the moving electrons heat the air LIGHTNING is an example of Static discharge.