You’ve probably tried sticking a balloon to your hair or felt a small shock when touching a door handle. This is called static electricity, a topic in the GCSE Physics curriculum and part of everyday phenomena, including thunderstorms.
This guide will explain how static electricity is created, its dangers and uses and key points to remember for your exams. Questions are included to test your knowledge. If you need extra support, have a look at TeachTutti's qualified GCSE Science tutors who can support your revision.
What is static electricity?
An imbalance between positive and negative charge in an object results in static electricity.
All materials are made up of atoms. All atoms contain positive protons, neutral neutrons and negative electrons. An object usually has an equal number of protons and electrons. This makes it electrically neutral.
Electrons are transferred from between objects when they are rubbed together. A common example is when a person rubs the balloon against their hair or jumper. This transfer causes one object to be negatively charged with more electrons and the other subject to be positively charged, containing fewer electrons. The charges stay on the object until they find a path to release (such as when you feel a small shock!)
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What is static electricity created from?
How static electricity is created
Static electricity is created when two objects rub against each other. This process is called friction and transfers electrons between the materials. One material becomes positively charged when it loses electrons and the other becomes negatively charged by gaining electrons.
If you rub a balloon against your hair, the balloon becomes negatively charged by gaining electrons. Your hair loses electrons and becomes positively charged. The opposite charges attract, leading to the balloon sticking to your head.
This attraction won't change until the charge can flow away from the object. this is often done safely through a process called "earthing". You have probably felt this flow, such as feeling a small shock touching a metal object after walking on a carpet.
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What happens when you rub a balloon against your jumper?
Uses and dangers of static electricity
There are serious dangers involved with static electricity. The obvious example is lightning, which occurs when you get a build-up of static charge in a storm cloud. This buildup of static charges becomes so strong that it discharges to the ground, creating a lightning strike. We have all seen how powerful and threatening a lightning storm can be.
Static electricity can also be hazardous when the charge comes close to flammable materials. If you get a build up of static while refuelling an airplane, a small spark could ignite the fuel and cause an explosion. This is why we use "earthing" to ensure objects are connected to the earth so the energy in the positive charged objects is safely discharged.
Static electricity is also useful in photocopiers and laser printers, where the charge attracts ink to the paper in the right places. Air purifiers and chimneys charge the static particles and attract them to a metal plate, which removes dust particles from the air.
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Which danger is true of static electricity?
Static electricity vs. current electricity
Static electricity is the build-up of charge in a particular place e.g. a positively charged balloon sticks when you rub it on your hair. The charges build up and wait to be discharged.
Current electricity is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, such as the wires in your home. We use the movement of electrons to power lights, TVs and computers. It needs a continuous path for the current to flow. This pathway that electrons move through is called a circuit.
Static electricity can be dangerous in certain situations, such as lightning. Meanwhile, current electricity is what we use in our daily lives to power our electrical devices, such as a phone or laptop charger.
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What is the key difference between static electricity and current electricity?
GCSE Physics revision tips | AQA, Edexcel and OCR
There are various exam boards for GCSE Physics. These include AQA, Edexcel and OCR. There are subtle differences between the curriculum your exam board uses. For example, ... However, there are key areas across all exam boards to cover when you revise static electricity:
- Forces between charges: The opposite charges of positive and negative attract, while the same charges repel. This principle is fundamental.
- Earthing: This is when an object is connected to the ground so excess charge can flow away safely. It is crucial in dealing with dangerous electrical charges so the charge can get to the earth and be displaced.
- Practical applications: There are benefits and dangers to static electricity. Look for real-life examples. For example, possible dangers include lightning and fuel explosions.
Test your knowledge with exam-style questions, including how charges are transferred and the differences between static and current electricity. Here are some worksheets on static electricity by Exam Papers Practice.
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Which statement about static electricity is correct?
Final thoughts
Static electricity explains a wide range of everyday occurrences, from small shocks to lightning strikes. The key topics discussed in this article - including how charges interact, the process of earthing and the dangers and uses of static electricity - will prepare you well for your examinations. You may also want to read more on the hazards and uses of static electricity by EE Power.
If you need personalised help getting to grips with this and other topics in the curriculum, TeachTutti has qualified and DBS-checked GCSE Science tutors.
This post was updated on 30 Nov, -0001.
