Electric charge
All everyday matter contains Property of matter that causes a force when near another charge. Charge comes in two forms, positive and negative. For example, a negative charge causes a repulsive force on a neighbouring negative charge., in the same way that all matter has mass. All elements are made of atoms. An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. have no overall charge - they are neutral. This is because atoms contain equal numbers of protons and electrons. Subatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to protons and neutrons. carry a negative The electrical state of an object, which can be positively charged or negatively charged. and Subatomic particle with a positive charge and a relative mass of 1. The relative charge of a proton is +1. carry a positive electric charge.
Learn more on static charge in this podcast
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Static
Electrons can be made to move from one object to another. However, protons do not move because they are tightly bound in the Nuclei is the plural of nucleus. The nucleus is the central part of an atom. It contains protons and neutrons, and has most of the mass of the atom. of atoms.
For example, when a plastic rod is rubbed with a duster, electrons are When something is moved from one place to another. This may be people, objects or energy. from one material to the other. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. The material that loses electrons becomes positively charged.
Image caption, The duster picks up electrons from the rod. This leaves the rod with a positive overall charge and the duster with a negative overall charge.
1 of 3
Static charge is an imbalance of electric charge on an object - which occurs when the object loses or gains electrons. This can happen when two insulating materials are rubbed together, like a cloth and a plastic rod. One item will become positively charged and the other will become negatively charged.
- It builds up more easily on Material that does not allow charge or heat to pass through it easily., (eg plastic or wood) because the charge cannot move freely.
- On An electrical conductor is a material which allows an electrical current to pass through it easily. It has a low resistance. , (eg metals), the charge can move and will flow away if there is a path to Earth.
Sometimes a build-up of static charge can become discharged through air, which normally wouldn’t conduct electricity. This flow of charge is observed as a spark. Lightning occurs when the static charge that has built up in a very large cloud flows to Earth through the air.
