Charges💡
Objects can be positively charged, negatively charged or neutral
Conductors like metals allow an electric charge pass through them on the other hand insulators like plastics do not. Substances that gain electrons become negatively charged and ones that lose electrons become positively charged. A neutral atom is when there are the same number of positive and negative charges
When a charged object comes near another object they will either attract or repel, like charges repel and unlike charges attract but if one if charged and the other is not then they will attract
When an acetate rod is rubbed with a duster, electrons are transferred from the rod onto the duster, making the rod positively charged
Electrostatic shocks 💥
You can get an electric shock if you are electrically charged and you touch something thats earthed or you are earthed and touch something that is charged .
You can tell if an insulator is charged if a plastic rod is rubbed with a duster it attracts small pieces of paper or when a balloon is rubbed against a jumper it can stick to a wall some dusters are designed to become charged so they attract dust.
Static can be dangerous when there are flammable gases or vapours or a high concentration of oxygen a spark could ignite the gases and there could be an explosion. If you touch something with a large electric charge on it and the charge will flow though your body which could cause burns or even stop your heart.
How can it be reduced? 🧐
This question is commonly asked in I/GCSE Physics.
The chance of receiving an electric shock can be reduced if an object might become charged is connected to the earth by an earth wire so any charge immediately flows down the earth wire also in a factory machinery operates stand on an insulating mats or have shoes with insulating soles in them which would stop any charge flowing through them to the earth.
Lorries containing flammable gases liquids and powders are connected to the earth by an earth wire before being unloaded this means the charge immediately flows down the earth wire preventing a spark that could cause an explosion also when an aircraft is refuelled , static can build up.This could cause sparks and ignite the fuel so a bonding line is used to earth the aircraft before it is refuelled
References: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c05b6a819aa96c50467a43f4ed0cc8a5
https://europe.content.twixlmedia.com/twixl-preview/e37527c12cbd8fc4effad5ac269b712b/content/9227412bea370b41cff1b313bea38012/6/images/fig1-Bonding-01.png?r=0.4014300927402137
Drafted by Catrina (Physics)