The City School
Worksheet Number: 2.1.1,2.a
Topic: Light, Electricity and Magnetism
Learning Objective(s):
2.1.1. Explain the phenomenon of static electricity in everyday life.
2.1.2. Describe charges and their properties.
Electrostatic Forces:
Objects with opposite charges (positive and negative) are attracted to each other, while objects with the same
charge (positive and positive or negative and negative) repel each other. This attraction and repulsion between
charged objects are known as electrostatic forces.
Think about the example of rubbing a balloon on a jumper. The balloon gains electrons and becomes negatively
charged. The jumper loses electrons and becomes positively charged.
Because these objects have opposite charges, there is an attractive force and
the balloon and the jumper are attracted to each other. If two insulators
have like charges (the same type of charge), then there is a repulsive force
between them. These balloons are both negatively charged, so they repel
each other.
Discharge of Static Electricity:
Static electricity doesn't last forever. Eventually, charged objects will try to neutralize themselves by either
gaining or losing electrons. For example, if you touch a charged object (like the balloon from the earlier
example) with your hand, electrons will flow from your hand to the balloon (or vice versa) until both objects
have neutralized charges.
Practical Applications:
Static electricity has numerous practical applications in our daily lives. Some common examples include:
• Photocopiers and laser printers use static electricity to transfer toner onto paper.
• Air purifiers use static electricity to attract and trap dust particles.
• Spray painting relies on static electricity to ensure an even coat of paint.
• Lightning is a natural occurrence of static electricity on a massive scale.
Q.1 Look at the pictures and answer the given questions.
This balloon has not been rubbed This balloon has been rubbed with
with the wool cloth the wool cloth
a) Look at picture 1. What kind of charge does the balloon have?
Positive Negative Neutral charges
charges charges
b) Look at picture 1. What kind of charge does cloth have?
Positive Negative Neutral charges
charges charges
c) Look at picture 2. What happened to the balloon after we rubbed it into the cloth?
The balloon now has The balloon now has The balloon now has
positive charges negative charges neutral charges
d) If you place small pieces of tissue paper near the balloon in picture 2, they would probably stick to the
balloon. Explain why?
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Q.2 Give three examples of static electricity from everyday life.
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Q.3 Share three ways of transferring static electricity.
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