Static electricity (Physics only)

    AQA
    GCSE

    Static electricity arises from the transfer of negatively charged electrons between insulating materials via friction, resulting in a net charge imbalance. This separation of charge creates an electric field around the object, which mediates non-contact electrostatic forces of attraction and repulsion. In Physics Only contexts, candidates must analyze the mechanism of sparking, where a high potential difference causes the ionization of air and rapid charge discharge. Mastery requires linking atomic structure to macroscopic phenomena and accurately representing electric field patterns.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award 1 mark for stating that electrons are transferred from one insulator to another (direction must be specified based on materials).
    • Credit responses that explicitly link the resulting positive charge to the loss of electrons, not the gain of protons.
    • Award 1 mark for drawing electric field lines perpendicular to the surface of the charged object.
    • Award 1 mark for indicating field direction with arrows: away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
    • For Higher Tier, award marks for explaining sparking: strong electric field causes ionisation of air, allowing charge to flow.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award 1 mark for stating that electrons are transferred from one insulator to another (direction must be specified based on materials).
    • Credit responses that explicitly link the resulting positive charge to the loss of electrons, not the gain of protons.
    • Award 1 mark for drawing electric field lines perpendicular to the surface of the charged object.
    • Award 1 mark for indicating field direction with arrows: away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
    • For Higher Tier, award marks for explaining sparking: strong electric field causes ionisation of air, allowing charge to flow.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Always specify 'electrons' when discussing charge movement; never imply the nucleus or protons move in these contexts.
    • 💡When drawing electric fields, ensure lines are spaced closer together where the field is strongest and further apart where it is weaker.
    • 💡For 4-6 mark questions on sparking (Higher Tier), structure your answer: High Potential Difference → Strong Electric Field → Ionisation of Air → Current Flows.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Stating that 'positive charge moves' or 'protons are transferred' rather than electrons moving.
    • Drawing electric field lines that cross each other or do not touch the surface of the charged object.
    • Describing the creation of charge rather than the separation of existing charge (violating conservation of charge).
    • Failing to link the strength of the electric field to the spacing of the field lines in diagrams.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Describe
    Explain
    Draw
    Compare
    Suggest

    Practical Links

    Related required practicals

    • •{"code":"Standard Demo","title":"Charging insulating rods by friction","relevance":"Demonstrates electron transfer and non-contact forces"}
    • •{"code":"Standard Demo","title":"Van de Graaff generator","relevance":"Illustrates radial electric fields and discharge/sparking"}

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