Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Static Electricity (9Jb – What Causes Static Electricity?)
Success Criteria
•Explain how static electricity is generated by rubbing insulating materials.
•Describe the movement of electrons and their effect on charge.
•Predict how charged objects interact (attract or repel).
•Understand and describe electric fields using diagrams.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Keywords and Definitions
Keyword Explanation
Electron A tiny particle with a negative charge that moves around the nucleus of an atom.
Proton A tiny particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom.
Neutron A tiny particle with no charge, also found in the nucleus of an atom.
Static electricity A build-up of electric charge on the surface of an object.
Insulating material A material that does not allow electricity to flow easily, like plastic or cloth.
Attract To pull towards—opposite charges attract each other.
Repel To push away—like charges repel each other.
Positive charge The type of electric charge carried by protons or by an object that lost electrons.
The type of electric charge carried by electrons or by an object that gained
Negative charge
electrons.
Electric field The invisible area around a charged object where it can push or pull other charges.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
What do you think is happening here?
Starter (5–7 minutes)
Think-Pair-Share
Have You Ever Felt a Shock?
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt
a small shock touching a metal
object.”
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Concept 1: Movement of Charges
Definition of Charges
•Positive Charge = fewer electrons
•Negative Charge = more electrons
Important: Only electrons move, not protons.
Charge Interaction Rule
•Like charges repel (e.g., + and + or – and –)
•Unlike charges attract (e.g., + and –)
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Mid-progress Check
[Link] are only electrons transferred?
[Link] kind of charge does a polythene rod get when rubbed?
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Atoms and Electrons
When you rub a plastic comb with a dry •All materials are made of atoms.
cloth (like wool or your hair), friction •Atoms have electrons (negative), protons (positive), and neutrons
happens between the two surfaces. (neutral).
•Electrons are loosely held in some materials and can be moved by
rubbing.
Electron Transfer
•When you rub the plastic comb with a cloth:
• Electrons are transferred from the cloth to •The plastic comb becomes negatively charged (extra electrons).
the comb. •The cloth becomes positively charged (lost electrons).
• The comb gains extra electrons, which are
negatively charged.
Rubbing causes electrons to move. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. The one that
loses them becomes positively charged.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Concept 2: Attract and Repel
Why is the paper attracted to the comb?
•Rubbing a plastic comb makes it negatively charged.
•The comb pulls the positive charges in the paper closer (and
pushes the negative ones away).
•This creates an induced charge in the paper.
•The opposite charges attract, so the paper moves toward the comb.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Concept 3: Electric Fields
Direction of the Field
What is an Electric Field?
•By convention, electric field lines:
An electric field is the invisible region around a
• Go outward from positive charges
charged object where it can push or pull other charges
• Go inward toward negative charges
— even without touching them.
It’s like a force field around the object!
This shows the direction a positive test charge would
move if placed in the field.
How Does It Work?
•A charged object (like a balloon or comb) creates an electric
field around it.
•If you bring another charged or neutral object into this field, a
force is felt:
• Attraction (if the charges are opposite)
• Repulsion (if the charges are the same)
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Concept 3: Electric Fields
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Activity 1: Practical Demo or Simulation
•Van de Graaff generator demo.
Observe and record what happens to hair, paper bits, or metal foil.
[Link]
ew/id/1221/page/128/mode/dps?modal=/playe
r/video/id/957714
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Activity 2: Diagram Challenge
• Interpret Diagram C (cloth rubbing).
• Predict interactions (Diagram C,
Question 5).
• Draw electric field lines around a
positive charge (based on Diagram
F).
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Progress Check
•Explain how static electricity is generated by rubbing insulating materials.
•Describe the movement of electrons and their effect on charge.
•Predict how charged objects interact (attract or repel).
•Understand and describe electric fields using diagrams.
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Plenary
[Link] particle is transferred during rubbing?
[Link] charge does acetate get?
[Link] does the girl’s hair stand up?
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Exit Ticket (I can...):
•One sentence each:
• How is a charge created?
• What happens when two charges meet?
• What is an electric field?
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
Homework
Lesson objective: Analyze how static electricity is generated through the transfer of electrons
when two insulating materials are rubbed together.
