Static Electricity Study Notes SNC 1P
1. State the Law of Electric Charge.
2. Show with a diagram the charges on a negatively charged balloon stuck to a wall.
3. Explain in words and with a diagram why a hanging foil ball is initially attracted to, but after contact with, moves
away from a charged plastic strip.
4. Look at the Electrostatic Series. What is a substance that loses electrons easily? What is a substance that does
not lose electrons easily? When these two substances are rubbed together, which one will have a negative
charge? Why? Which one will have a positive charge? Why?
5. Explain how lightning occurs.
6. Draw a diagram of a house to help you explain how a lightning rod can protect you.
7. What makes a substance a conductor?
8. What makes a substance an insulator?
9. Give an example of something that conducts. Give an example of something that insulates.
10. Explain why the leaves on an electroscope raise when the sphere of the electroscope is touched by a charged
object.
11. Explain why the yarn stood up when placed on the Van der Graaf generator.
12. What does it mean to “ground” something?
13. When you bring your finger towards a charged hanging foil ball, what will happen? Why?
Static Electricity Study Notes
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State the law of Electric Charges.
Show with a diagram the charges on a balloon stuck to a wall.
Explain in words and draw with a diagram why a hanging foil ball moves away from a charged plastic strip.
Look at the Electrostatic Series. What is a substance that loses electrons easily? What is a substance that does
not lose electrons easily? When these two substances are rubbed together, which one will have a negative
charge? Why? Which one will have a positive charge? Why?
Explain how lightning occurs.
Explain how a lightning rod can protect you.
What makes a substance a conductor?
What makes a substance an insulator?
Give an example of something that conducts. Give an example of something that insulates.
Explain why the leaves on an electroscope raise when the sphere of the electroscope is touched by a charged
object.
Explain why the hair of the Barbie Doll stood up when placed on the Van der Graaf generator.
What does it mean to “ground” something?
When you bring your finger towards a charged hanging foil ball, what will happen? Why?