Static Electricity In Our World

Every physical thing in our worldis made up of tiny particles called

ATOMS.

What is an atom?

Electrons spinlike crazy

around thenucleus.

Usually, atoms are NEUTRAL.

They have the same number ofprotons (+) and electrons(-).

They are balanced.

They have no charge, as the protonscancel out the electrons.

+++++ - - - - -

Sometimes, electrons can transfer to different atomsWhen they get disturbed.

This creates negatively charged atoms…

(more electrons than protons)

5 electrons

3 protons

…or positively charged atoms(more protons than electrons).

3 electrons

5 protons

Imbalanced atoms createSTATIC ELECTRICITY.

Rubbing some things together can create static electricity. Rub a balloon on hair and the hair loses

electrons to the balloon which becomesnegatively charged…

…and the hair becomesimbalanced withtoo many protons, whichmakes all the hairspositively charged.

Like charges REPEL, so all thepositively charged hairs

try to stay away from each other.

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ ++

+

++ +

+

++ + ++

The negatively charged balloon is lookingfor something to balance out its electrons,

so it will be ATTRACTED to protons on awall (or a hand, or a pet)!

++

+

---

-

+

But how are the principles of REPEL and ATTRACTin static electricity used in the real world?

COPIERS

The drum inside becomes positively chargedto look like the picture being copied.

The toner (ink) is negatively charged and is attracted to the positive charges on the drum.

This makes the copy of the picture.

ELECTROSTATIC COATINGThe object to be painted is given a negative charge.The paint is given a positive charge as it comes out

the nozzle, which is strongly attracted to the object.Electrostatic painting is smooth, even, and strong.

AIR PURIFIERSAir is circulated past a corona

wire - an electrical field.The dust particles become

negatively charged. They thenflow past a metal screen thatis positively charged. The dustis attracted to the screens, andthe rest of the (clean) air goes

back into the room.

SMOKESTACKS & POLLUTIONSmoke particles pass by

a negatively charged screenin the smokestack,

and become negativelycharged themselves.

They are attracted topositively charged

plates further up thesmokestacks, removing

them from the air.

Understanding ScienceHelps Us Live

More ComfortablyIn Our World!