What do you think are the 3 most important things we have learned about static electricity?
- Subatomic particles and why they are related to static electricity. An atom (which makes up everything) consists of three subatomic particles; electrons which are negative, protons which are positive and neutrons that are neutral, with no charge at all. When creating a static charge on an object, it will either have a positive charge, a negative charge or a neutral charge. When there are more electrons than protons, the object is negatively charged, when there are more protons than electrons, it is positively charged. When there is the same amount of electrons to protons, the object has a neutral charge (no charge).
- Creating a static charge by conduction or induction. You can create a static charge by either using conduction or induction. When you charge a neutral object by touching it to a charged object, you are charging by conduction. When you charge a neutral object by bringing a charged object near to it (not touching it), you are charging by induction.
- The difference between a conductor and an insulator. Some materials let electrons flow through them easily, but others do not. These materials are called either conductors or insulators. Conductors are materials (such as metals) that let electrons flow easily through them, while insulators (such as rubber, wool, glass) are materials that don’t let them flow easily.
What lab did you find the most helpful in understanding static? Explain how it was helpful?
The lab I found the most helpful in understanding static was the static discovery lab. I found this lab very informative about static electricity and really made my understanding better of it. For example, it showed me all of the different combinations that produce charge and some that didn’t. I also really liked how we got to see the use of static electricity first hand, it really made me more interested in the topic