AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
Students should be able to: describe the production of static electricity,…
Full specification wording
Static charge: Students should be able to: describe the production of static electricity, and sparking, by rubbing surfaces describe evidence that charged objects exert forces of attraction or repulsion on one another when not in contact explain how the transfer of electrons between objects can explain the phenomena of static electricity.
Static electricity is produced when two different insulating materials are rubbed together.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 9 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Static electricity is produced when two different insulating materials are rubbed together. Friction causes negatively charged electrons to be transferred from one material to the other. The material gaining electrons becomes negatively charged, while the one losing electrons becomes positively charged. Evidence for non-contact forces can be seen when a charged rod is brought near another suspended charged rod: like charges repel and opposite charges attract without touching. As charge builds on a surface, the potential difference between it and an earthed conductor grows. When large enough, the air breaks down and becomes conducting. Electrons move through the air between the objects, creating a spark. The direction of electron flow depends on the sign of the charged object. The spark transfers energy, seen as light and heard as a crack.
What earns the marks
- Stating that friction causes electrons to be transferred between insulating materials.
- Describing evidence of non-contact forces, such as suspended charged rods repelling or attracting.
- A large potential difference causing the air to become conducting or break down.
- Electrons moving through the air between the charged object and the earthed conductor to create a spark.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that positive charges or protons move during rubbing, when only electrons are transferred.
Describing the spark as positive charge jumping, rather than electrons moving.
Failing to mention that the materials rubbed together must be electrical insulators for static charge to build up.
Describing how the charge is produced but never naming the potential difference that drives the spark.
Exam tips
- Always specify that electrons are transferred; never say that positive charges move.
- For 'describe evidence' questions, give a clear observation, such as a suspended charged rod moving away from another rod with the same charge.
- Spark answers need the potential difference first, then electrons moving through the air.
Try the lesson
The start of the Static charge: Students should be able to: describe the production of static electricity, and sparking, by rubbing surfaces describe evidence that charged objects exert forces of attraction or repulsion on one another when not in contact explain how the transfer of electrons between objects can explain the phenomena of static electricity. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A plastic rod is rubbed with a dry cloth. The rod becomes negatively charged. What happens to the rod during rubbing?
Listen
Static electricity is produced when two different insulating materials are rubbed together. Friction causes negatively charged electrons to be transferred from one material to the other. The material gaining electrons becomes negatively charged, while the one losing electrons becomes positively charged. Evidence for non-contact forces can be seen when a charged rod is brought near another suspended charged rod: like charges repel and opposite charges attract without touching. As charge builds on a surface, the potential difference between it and an earthed conductor grows. When large enough, the air breaks down and becomes conducting. Electrons move through the air between the objects, creating a spark. The direction of electron flow depends on the sign of the charged object. The spark transfers energy, seen as light and heard as a crack. A strong answer earns marks for these points. stating that friction causes electrons to be transferred between insulating materials. describing evidence of non-contact forces, such as suspended charged rods repelling or attracting. a large potential difference causing the air to become conducting or break down. electrons moving through the air between the charged object and the earthed conductor to create a spark. Exam tip: Always specify that electrons are transferred; never say that positive charges move.
Key words
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electron transfer
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friction and insulators
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evidence for non-contact forces
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potential difference
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See every definition
- electron transfer
- Friction causes negatively charged electrons to be transferred from one material to the other when two different insulating materials are rubbed together.
- friction and insulators
- Static electricity is produced when two different insulating materials are rubbed together, and friction causes electrons to be transferred between them.
- evidence for non-contact forces
- A charged rod brought near another suspended charged rod shows like charges repel and opposite charges attract without touching.
- potential difference
- As charge builds on a surface, the potential difference between it and an earthed conductor grows.
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Test your understanding of Static charge: Students should be able to: describe the production of static electricity, and sparking, by rubbing surfaces describe evidence that charged objects exert forces of attraction or repulsion on one another when not in contact explain how the transfer of electrons between objects can explain the phenomena of static electricity.
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