Electrons on the Move
KEY WORDS
Electron
Negative charge
Positive charge
Nucleus
Electric current
Static electricity
Friction
Charging by friction
Electron transfer
Conductor
Neutral object
Electrostatic induction
Polarization
Discharge
1. Electrons
Electrons are negatively charged particles
They are present outside the nucleus
They are very light in mass
Electrons can move from one atom to another
Electricity is caused by the movement of electrons
2. Electrons on the Move
Electrons move easily in conductors
Protons remain fixed and do not move
Directional movement of electrons produces electric current
Two types of electricity exist:
Current electricity
Static electricity
3. Static Electricity
Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charges
It occurs due to electron transfer
Charges remain at rest on the surface
Static electricity is produced by:
Friction
Contact
Induction
4. Acrylic Rod Rubbed with Cloth
Acrylic rod and cloth are neutral before rubbing
Rubbing produces friction energy
Electrons move from cloth to acrylic rod
Acrylic rod gains electrons
Acrylic rod becomes negatively charged
Cloth loses electrons
Cloth becomes positively charged
This is called charging by friction
5. Why Charges Are Static
Electrons stop moving after rubbing
Charges remain on the surface
No continuous flow of electrons occurs
Hence electricity is static
6. Attraction of Neutral Objects by Charged Objects
Neutral objects have equal positive and negative charges
Net charge of neutral object is zero
Charged object produces an electric field
Charges inside neutral object rearrange
One side becomes oppositely charged
Neutral object gets attracted
This process is called electrostatic induction
7. Examples
Paper bits attracted by charged rod
Balloon sticking to wall
Static shock
Lightning
8. Summary
Electrons are responsible for electricity
Static electricity is due to electron transfer
Acrylic rod becomes negatively charged
Neutral objects are attracted due to charge polarization
9. Current Electricity
Current electricity is the continuous flow of electric charges
It occurs due to the movement of electrons
Flow takes place through a conductor
A closed circuit is required