Electricity Notes

1) Outline the components of a atom, relating this to electricity.

-A atom consists of neutrons, electrons, protons, anions and cations. When electricity occurs it is due to the flow  of electrons which is made possible by placing a cell/battery in the circuit. The electrons are separated from the atom and are going around all the atoms in that proximity creating a circuit.

2) Describe ways in which objects acquire a electrostatic charge.

-A object gets a electrostatic charge by taking/giving electrons to/from a neutral atom. The atom that has taken on electrons becomes the positively charged atom. This atom then is attracted to negative atom(s) (atoms that have had a electron stolen from them). Two like atoms i.e a positive and a positive will repel each other.

3) Describe the behavior of charges when they are brought close to each other {like repel, unlike attract.

When a positively charged object comes in contact with another positively charged object, then they repel each other. This is the same for two negatively charged objects. However when a positive meets a negativity charged object , they are attracted to each other.

4) Identify examples where the electrostatic field can be observed.

A electromagnetic field can be observed very well in a Van de Graaff generator. The generator turns a elastic band very quickly around a pulley. A comp is placed just above the band and it separates the electrons from the atoms in the band so that it becomes a charged object. Then to best observe the electromagnetic field you attach pieces of hair on the ball which flow in the direction of the field.

5) Describe how static and current electricity are the same charges following the same rules

Both the types of electricity use electrons as the way to make electricity. However the static electricity electrons don't flow as they do in current. 

6) Outline the essential parts of a electric circuit.

Conductor- In most cases is a copper wire all though most metals and some non-metals can be used as well.

Battery- A electric cell that creates electricity by a simple chemical reaction. It pushes the created electricity out of one way so that you get a flow going in one way and out the other end of the battery.

Instrument- The instrument is what the circuit is there to power. I.E, a light bulb, radio, laptop etc.

Resister- This is also the Instrument as a light bulb actually uses more energy than no light bulb.

7) Compare conductors and insulators in the terms of allowing charges to move.

A conductor allows charges and electrons to move almost freely within the wire or whatever. A good conductor will allow the charge to move without much resistance around the circuit.

A insulator job is to try and keep the elections on the inside of whatever. for example, a thermos glass wants to keep as much as the heat in as possible so it doesn't allow how atoms to mingle with cold…