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Answers to Readers' Questions on Basics of Static Electricity
The following 234 questions have been answered. They are listed according to date.
List of next 10 items
- Why electricity makes appliances work
- Could we collect items with a large negative charge?
- What kinds of material give up electrons easily?
- What materials lose or gain electrons?
- When a glass rod touches a balloon
- What is the mininmum static charge?
- Friend's electricity affects street lights
- Do electrons fly when a shock happens?
- I need as much information as possible
- What is the charge of static electricity?
Why electricity makes appliances work
Question
February 8, 2008
Please answer this elementary question, by choosing the best answer.
Electricity can make fans, light, and ovens work because:
a. energy can change its form
b. it is static electricity
c. it is potential energy
Please give me an explanation on the answer.
Thank you very much!!!
Thess - Philippines
15313
Answer
Electric appliances work by AC electricity. The potential energy is the voltage of the AC electricity. To find out about electric power, see: http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electrical_power.htm
Could we collect items with a large negative charge?
Question
January 12, 2008
Could we collect items with a large negative charge, as to collect but not to shock? Would this also collect as well as a large positive charge?
j - USA
15115
Answer
A Leyden jar is used to collect either positive or negative charges.
The web page http://www.alaska.net/~natnkell/leyden.htm has pictures and instruction of how to make one.
What kinds of material give up electrons easily?
Question
January 10, 2008
what kinds of material give up electrons easily?
what kinds of material pick up electons easily?
- USA
15100
Answer
See: Materials that Cause Static Electricity at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm
What materials lose or gain electrons?
Question
January 9, 2008
How can we know that when two certain materials arerubbed together, either of them would lose or gain electrons or protons?
Abhishek - India
15086
Answer
See http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm to see what materials lose or gain electrons.
When a glass rod touches a balloon
Question
January 8, 2008
Why is the quiz so short? It's only three questions long. Also, is it true when a glass rod touches a balloon (both of which have balanced neutral charges) does the glass rod pass electrons to the balloon thus unbalancing it?
I'm not really sure.
Thanks,
jamie - USA
15079
Answer
I have a longer test at: http://www.school-for-champions.com/tests/science_static_electricity.htm
Most materials are not normally completely balanced neutral, as there are always a number of free electrons in the material. If the glass rod touched the balloon, it might give some electrons to the balloon. You would get a much greater transfer if the rod was rubbed against the balloon.
See: http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm to see that glass gives off electrons while rubber attracts electrons.
What is the mininmum static charge?
Question
January 8, 2008
I was wondering what the mininmum static charge is (in volts).
jason - USA
15075
Answer
The minimum static charge would be the potential of a single electron, usually measured in electron-volts.
The minimum that would be felt by a person varies so much with conditions that there is no real value.
Friend's electricity affects street lights
Question
December 11, 2007
Hi, a friend of mine creates a lot of static electricity for some reason, what I would like to know is why when he passes under street lamps they blow. Is the static related to this situation? If not, why does this happen?
Madelaine - RSA
14953
Answer
Some people seem to create much more static electricity than others. One common source of static electricity in people is when they have very dry skin and wear clothes of synthetic fibers. The friction against the skin build up charges.
For the people who get excess charges, the reason may have to do with body chemistry. The theory is that if the blood is more acidic than normal, there is a tendency for the body to build up charges.
The human body is somewhat electrical and there is a slight aura of an electrical field around the body, especially when there is a buildup of static electricity. It is hard to believe that the electrical field would reach as far as street lights and be so strong that it affects them, but there have been so many cases of similar things happening to people, that it must be valid.
As far as I know, there have been no studies or experiments with people like your friend to understand this phenomenon. It sure would be interesting to find out the causes.
Do electrons fly when a shock happens?
Question
December 5, 2007
Do the Electrons fly inthe air when a shock hapens?
Amanda - Canada
14914
Answer
When you see a static electric spark fly, it is caused by electrons jumping between the two materials. They cause the air to heat up and glow. When you feel the shock, you are feeling the extremely high temperature for a fraction of a second.
I need as much information as possible
Question
November 26, 2007
im am doing a science fair project and i need much info. as possible please help by sending links to better info or whatever its due dec.3,2007
science kid - USA
14852
Answer
You need to decide on a specific thing that you want to do or demonstrate in your science project. Narrow it down and be able to stated exactly what you would like to show in your project. Then start to plan how to do it. At that point, you can start looking for information, if necessary.
What is the charge of static electricity?
Question
November 22, 2007
My question is- What is the charge of static electricity? Is it + or - or is it both combined?
- USA
14828
Answer
Static electricity is the collection of either positive (+) or negative (-) charges on the surface of a material. See our lesson on Static Electric Materials to see what charges collect on various materials.
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Basics of Static Electricity