BRAINCAKEStatic electricity
Revision notes for Static electricity in Edexcel Physics (1PH0). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.
- Charging an insulator by frictionEvery atom has positive protons in its nucleus and negative electrons around it.
- Why the two materials end up oppositely chargedA neutral material has the same number of protons and electrons.
- Like and unlike chargesCharged objects push or pull on each other even when they are not touching.
- Shocks, lightning and inductionAll static electricity effects come from electrons moving.
- EarthingA charged object can lose its extra charge if it is connected to the ground using a conductor such as a copper wire.
- Using electrostatic charge: insecticide sprayersStatic charge can be put to good use.
- Dangers of sparking and earthingFriction can charge insulating materials.
- Electric fieldsA charged object does not need to touch another charged object to push or pull on it.
- Shapes of electric fieldsElectric fields are drawn using lines with arrows.
- Explaining static electricity with fieldsThe idea of an electric field explains why charged objects push and pull on each other without touching.