Chapter 2 - Electricity

2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow

There are two types of charges:
Positive charge (+); and
Negative charge ()

Charge is measured in coulombs, C.

A negative charge is carried by an electron.
The charge of an electron is: -1.6x10-19 C.
A positive charge is carried by a proton.
The charge of a proton is: +1.6x10-19 C.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow

A body is charges:
a) Neutral if it has equal numbers of positive
and negative charges
b) Negative if it has more negative charges
than positive charges
c) Positive if it has more positive charges
than negative charges

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge
flow
Example 1
A small body has an initial charge of +3.0C. What
is its final charge if:
(a)It acquires 1.875x1019 electrons from another
body

(b)It loses 1.25x1019 electrons

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Static electricity
Static electricity also known as electrostatics is
electric charges that do not move.
Static electricity can be produced by rubbing two
materials together.
The two materials should be non-metals because
metals cannot store static charges.
Metals allow charges to flow without any resistance.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow

When rubbing a polythene rod with a dry woolen cloth.

Electrons are pulled away from the woolen cloth to the
polythene rod.
Hence the polythene rod gains electrons and becomes
negatively charged.
The woolen cloth loses electrons and becomes
positively charged.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
Detecting and testing charge
Small charges can be
detected and tested using
a gold leaf electroscope.
When a charged object
touches the metal cap at
the top of the electroscope,
some of the charges are
transferred to the gold
leaf and the metal plate.
Similar charges on the
gold leaf and metal plate
repel and the leaf rises.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
Detecting
and
testing
charge
When
a
positively
charged rod is brought
near the metal cap of an
positively
charged
electroscope, the gold
leaf rises even more.
Electrons are attracted to
the metal cap.
The gold leaf has more
positive charges so is
repelled more.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
Effects of static electricity
Rubbing a plastic comb on a shirt to pick up small pieces of
tissue paper.

When a negatively charged polythene rod is brought near a

stream a water, the stream of water bends towards the rod
because of the force of attraction between opposite charges.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
Effects of static electricity
A carpet surface becomes charged by the
rubbing of shows over it.
Each dust particles, when they fall from shoes
to the carpet are attracted towards the carpet.
The electrons in the dust particles move
towards the carpet.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
Effects of static electricity
A vehicle such as a car, lorry tanker or an aircraft
will become charged due to friction with the air.
When the person touches the outside of the vehicle,
the highly charged vehicle will discharge through
the person, and they will receive an electric
shock.
This is dangerous as it may start a fire.
A long metal chain which touches the ground is
usually tied to the back of the vehicle.
The electric charges produced by friction can thus
flow from the vehicle to the earth through the
metal chain.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Electric current, I
Electric current is the rate of flow of
charge.
Since electric current consists of a flow of
electrons.
The more charges that flow through a
conductor within a given time, the larger the
current.
If one coulomb of charge passes through in
one second, thenI the
in one ampere,
= Qcurrent
/t
1A.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Example 2
A fuse wire will blow if the current flowing through
it exceeds 5.0A for a time of 80ms.
(a)What is the quantity of electric charge that has
passed through the fuse wire in 80ms?

(b)How many electrons have passed through the

fuse wire in that time, given that the charge on
1 electron is 1.6x10-19C?

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Electric current, I
In conductors (metals), electric current is
caused by the movement of negative charges
(electrons).
In electrolytes (liquids and solutions), positive
and negative charges (ions) may flow.
Direction of current flow is the flow of positive
charges: positive terminal to negative
terminal.
Direction of electron flow: negative terminal to
positive terminal.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Electric current, I

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
The Van de Graff Generator

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
The Van de Graff Generator
When the motor of the Van de Graff generator
is switched on, it drives the rubber belt.
This causes the rubber belt to rub against the
roller and hence becomes positively charged.
The charge is then carried by the moving belt
up to the metal dome where it is collected.
A large amount of positive charge is built up on
the dome.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
The Van de Graff Generator
The electric field around
the metal dome of the
generator can produce a
strong force of attraction
between the opposite charges.
If you touch the dome,
electrons will suddenly
accelerate from the finger
to the dome of the generator
and cause a spark.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
The Van de Graff Generator
When the wire touches the dome, the
microammeter/galvanometer needle is deflected.
This shows that a current is flowing through the
microammeter/galvanometer.
The electric current is produced by the flow of
electrons
from
the
earth
through
the
microammeter/galvanometer to the metal dome to
neutralise the positive charges on its surface.
The metal dome can be safely touched with the
finger as all the positive charges on it have been
neutralised.

Chapter 2 - Electricity
2.1 Analysing electric fields and charge flow
Electric field
An electric field is a region where an electric
force can be experienced.
An electric field is represented by electric field
lines.
The direction of the field is represented by
arrows.