Uses of static electricity 🧐
This is a very commonly asked question in I/GCSE Physics.
Paint spraying
Car manufactures can save money by using charged paint spray guns . the spray gun is charged positively, which causes every paint particle to become positively charged, like charges repel and the paint particles spread out the object to be painted is given a negative charge and so attracts the paint particles.The advantages of using this system are there is less paint wasted and the object receives an even coat.
Photocopiers and lazer printers
1. image is projected onto a positively charged copying plate
2. where light falls onto the plate the electrical charge leaks away
3. negatively charged black toner particles are attracted to the remaining positive areas
4. papers places over the copying plate toner is transferred to the paper and heated to make it stick
5 the photocopy is taken off the copy plate and turned over to reveal the text/image
Electrostatic dust precipitators
Smoke is produced when fossil fuels burn. Smoke is made of tiny solid particles, such as carbon. To remove these particles from the waste gases an electrostatic precipitator is used
1. smoke particles pick up a negative charge
2. smoke particles are attracted to the collecting plates
3. the collecting plates are knocked to remove the smoke particles
Defibrillators
The two paddles with insulated handles are charged from a high voltage supply. They are put in good electrical contact with the patients chest its important that no one else gets a shock, which is why the paddles have insulating handles and the operator tells people to stand clear before charge is passed through the patients to make their heart contract
Insecticide sprays
These make use of static electricity they can be sprayed from an aircraft to cover large areas with this method there is a risk that some will blow away or fall unevenly. To prevent this the insecticide spray is given a static charge as it leaves the aircraft the static drops spread evenly as they all have the same charge and are attracted to the earth
This is the end of the topic!
References: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/577e248a579fb3746418e3ac/1468424854758-G0G83NABBACS9MK7M5RZ/image-asset.png?format=1000w
Drafted by Catrina (Physics)