CHUNG HWA MIDDLE SCHOOL, BSB

CHAPTER 4.2 – ELECTRICAL QUANTITIES

NAME: _____________________________________________ DATE: _______________

4.2.1 ELECTRICAL CHARGE

LEARNING OUTCOMES (Electrical Charge):

➢ State that there are positive and negative charges and that charge is measured in coulombs.
➢ State that unlike charges attract and like charges repel.
➢ Describe experiments to show electrostatic charging by friction.
➢ Explain that charging of solids by friction involves only a transfer of negative charge (electrons).
➢ Describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force.
➢ State that the direction of an electric field line at a point is the direction of the force on a positive charge
at that point.
➢ Describe simple electric field patterns, including the direction of the field:
(a) around a point charge
(b) around a charged conducting sphere
(c) between two oppositely charged parallel conducting plates (end effects will not be examined)
➢ State examples of electrical conductors and insulators.
➢ Describe an experiment to distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators.
➢ Recall and use a simple electron model to explain the difference between electrical conductors and
insulators.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

A. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CHARGES

• Objects can be given one of two types of electric charge:

o Positive
o Negative
• When two charged objects are brought close together, there will be a force between those objects.

• Remember:
o Opposite charges attract.
o Like charges repel.

B. DEMONSTRATING ELECTROSTATIC CHARGES

• Electrostatic repulsion is caused by the force between charges.

o When these charges are the same as each other, they repel (push apart).
• In simple experiments showing the production of electrostatic charges by friction, insulating solids such
as plastics are given a charge.
o This is done using friction to transfer electrons from the surface.
• By removing electrons, which have negative charge, the insulator is left with a positive charge.

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 METHOD:
o Suspend one of the insulating materials using a cradle and a length of string so that the material
can rotate freely.
o Rub one end of the material using a cloth (in order to give it a charge).
o Now take a second piece of insulating material and charge that by rubbing with a cloth.
o Hold the charged end of the second piece close to the charged end of the first piece:
▪ If the first piece rotates away (is repelled) from the second piece then the materials have
the same charge.
▪ If the first piece moved towards (is attracted to) the second piece then they have opposite
charges.

EXAM TIP
Experimental demonstrations, such as the one above, are different from experiments in which you
have to take measurements. In the case of this demonstration your results are your observations.

When describing a demonstration you should state a conclusion – in other words, explain what you
expect to happen and what it means.

C. Charges and Electrons

• Electrons are negatively charged particles.

• Usually the number of electrons around an atom is equal to the number of (positive) protons in the
nucleus of the atom, and hence the atom is neutral.

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 • The production of charges by rubbing can be explained by supposing that friction causes electrons to be
transferred from one material to another.
o For example, when acetate is rubbed with a cloth, electrons go from the acetate to the cloth,
leaving the acetate short of electrons. i.e. positively charged.
o The cloth now has more electrons than protons and become negatively charged.
• If, however, and object gains extra electrons, it will gain an overall negative charge.
• If it loses some of its electrons it will be left with a positive charge.
o Negative charges are the result of gaining electrons.
o Positive charges are the result of losing electrons.

• NOTE: It is only electrons which move; the protons remain fixed in the nucleus.

• Electric charge is measured in units called coulombs (C).

o The charge on an electron is e = 1.6 x 10-19 C.

CHECKPOINT 1

Q1 The diagram below shows two thin plastic strips before and after being rubbed with a dry, clean cloth.
The plastic strips were uncharged before the experiment. Using the keywords provided, describe the
charge on the strips and the force between the strips.

Like Charges
Repulsion

When the thin plastic strips are rubbed with dry, clean cloth
electrons are transferred from one material (eg. cloth) to the
other material (eg. strip). Since the strips have like charges,
they repel.

Q2 In order to demonstrate how to produce an electric charge, a student wants to rub a rod with a cotton
cloth. She can choose any two of the four rods shown below for the demonstration. Which two rods
should she choose? Explain your answer.

There will be friction between the cloth and the rods.

Only insulating materials can be charged by friction.
The glass and plastic rods should be chosen as these are insulating materials.

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D. ELECTRIC FIELDS

• A charged object creates an electric field around itself.

o This is similar to the way in which magnets create magnetic fields.
• This can be shown by electric field lines.
o Fields lines always point away from positive charges and towards negative charges.

• The direction of the force lines in an electric field is described as the direction of the force on a
positive charge at that point.
o The direction of electric field, denoted by arrows, is the direction of the force on a small positive
charge placed in the field (negative charges experience a force in the opposite direction to the
field).
o An electric field is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction.

Field lines show the direction that a positive

charge would experience if it was at that point.

• Although the definition of the force direction refers to a positive charge, in demonstrations it is always
electrons (negative charges) which are free to move according to that force.

• The strength of an electric field depends on the distance from the object creating the field:
o The field is strongest close to the charged object - this is shown by the field lines being closer
together.
o The field becomes weaker further away from the charged object - this is shown by the field
lines becoming further apart.

E. ELECTRIC FIELD PATTERNS

• Objects in an electric field will experience an electric force.

o Since force is a vector, the direction of this force depends on whether the charges are the same or
opposite.
• The force is either attractive or repulsive.
o If the charges are the same (negative and negative or positive and positive), this force will be
repulsive, and the second charged object will move away from the charge creating the field.
o If the charges are the opposite (negative and positive), this force will be attractive, and the
second charged object will move toward the charge creating the field.

Electric field lines show force direction and

force strength.

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 o The size of the force depends on the strength of the field at that point.
o This means that the force becomes:
▪ Stronger as the distance between the two charged objects decreases.
▪ Weaker as the distance between the two charged objects increases.

o The relationship between the strength of the force and the distance applies to both the force of
attraction and force of repulsion.
▪ Two negative charges brought close together will have a stronger repulsive force than if
they were far apart.

• Field lines around a point charge

o Electric charges create electric fields in the regions surrounding them, similar to the way in
which magnets create magnetic fields.
▪ The electric field is the region in which another charge will experience a force.
▪ Fields lines always go away from positive charges and towards negative charges – they
have the same direction as the direction of the force on a positively charged particle at a
point in that field.

Electric fields are always directed away from positive charges and towards negative charges.

• Field Lines Between Two Oppositely Charged Parallel Conducting Plates

o Some simple field patterns that you ought to know:

The electric field between two parallel plates

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 • Field Lines Around a Charged Conducting Sphere
o The field lines around a charge conducting sphere are symmetrical, as with a point charge.
▪ This is because the charges on the surface of the sphere will be evenly distributed.
▪ The charges are the same, so they repel.
▪ The surface is conducting, allowing them to move.

Field lines around a charged sphere

(positively-charged sphere).

CHECKPOINT 2

Q1 Select which of the four diagrams below show the pattern and direction of an electric field between
two charged metal plates.

F. CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND ELECTRONS

• The key difference between conductors and insulators is that:

o Conductors allow charge carriers to freely move.
o Insulators do not allow charge carriers to move.
• The reasons for this are to do with their internal structure.

• Conductors
o A conductor is a material that allows charge (usually electrons) to flow through it easily.
o Examples of conductors are:
▪ Silver
▪ Copper
▪ Aluminium
▪ Steel
▪ Carbon

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 o Conductors tend to be metals.

Different materials have different properties of conductivity.

o On the atomic scale, conductors are made up of positively charged metal ions with their
outermost electrons delocalized.
▪ This means the electrons are free to move.
o Metals conduct electricity very well because:
▪ Current is the rate of flow of charged particles.
▪ So, the more easily electrons are able to flow, the better the conductor.
o A conductor will become charged only if it is held with an insulating handle; otherwise electrons
are transferred between the conductor and the ground via the person’s body.

The lattice structure of a conductor with positive metal ions and delocalized electrons.

• Insulator
o An insulator is a material that has no free charges, hence does not allow the flow of charge
through them very easily.
o Examples of insulators are:
▪ Rubber
▪ Plastic
▪ Glass
▪ Wood
▪ Air
o Some non-metals, such as wood, allow some charge to pass through them.
o Although they are not very good at conducting, they do conduct a little in the form of static
electricity.
▪ For example, two insulators can build up charge on their surfaces. If those surfaces touch,
this would allow that charge to be conducted away.

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 • Investigating Electrical Conductors and Insulators

o The Gold-leaf Electroscope (GLE)

▪ To distinguish between conductors and insulators a Gold-leaf electroscope (GLE) can be
used.

o When the GLE is charged, the plate, rod and gold leaf have the same charge (either positive or
negative).
▪ Since the rod and leaf have the same charge, they repel, and the leaf sticks out to the
side.
▪ When the rod and leaf are discharged (are neutral) the leaf hangs down.

• To test electrical conductors and insulators

o Charge the plate of the GLE so that the gold leaf stands clear of the rod.
o Carefully touch the plate of the GLE with the items being tested, for example:
▪ Metals, such as: wire, paperclip, scissor blades
▪ Non-metals, such as: paper, fingers, glass, graphite
▪ Plastics, such as: plastic ruler, the handles of the scissors, finger in a plastic sandwich bag
▪ Comparisons, such as: wet cloth, dry cloth; finger and finger in a plastic sandwich bag
o Record the observations each time.
▪ Leaf falls: material is a good conductor.
▪ Leaf remains in place: object is a poor conductor (good insulator).
▪ Leaf falls slowly: material is a poor conductor.
o Expected Results
▪ Overall, metals are very good conductors whilst non-metals tend to be good insulators.

Conductors and Insulators

Summary Table

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EXERCISES

1. A PVC (plastic rod) is rubbed with a nylon cloth. This process causes electrons to be transferred between
the rod and the cloth, causing both objects to become charged.
Which of the rows in the table below correctly gives the nature of the charges on both the cloth and the rod,
and the effect the objects have on each other after becoming charged?

2. A student wants to charge up some rods by rubbing them with a cloth made from a suitable material. He has
a number of rods to choose from: a copper rod, a PVC rod, an aluminium rod and a glass rod.
Which two of the rods would hold a charge when rubbed with an appropriate cloth?
A. Aluminium and PVC B. Glass and copper
C. Aluminium and copper D. Glass and PVC

3. What is the definition of an electric field?

A. A region in space in which a mass experiences a force due to the Earth’s mass.
B. A region in space through which electromagnetic radiation is passing.
C. A region in space in which a compass needle experiences a force.
D. A region in space in which an electric charge experiences a force.

4. The diagram shows an uncharged ball coated with metallic paint. The ball is suspended from an
insulating thread. It is placed near a positively charged rod.

Which diagram shows the charge distribution on the ball?

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 losing electrons
5. A polythene rod is rubbed with a cloth and the cloth becomes positively charged. Which statement describes
the transfer of charge?
A. Negative charges are transferred from the cloth to the polythene.
B. Negative charges are transferred from the polythene to the cloth.
C. Positive charges are transferred from the cloth to the polythene.
D. Positive charges are transferred from the polythene to the cloth.

6. A polythene rod becomes charged when rubbed with a dry woollen cloth. The charge caused is a result of
A. friction producing a movement of electrons. B. friction producing a movement of protons.
C. magnetism producing a movement of electrons. D. magnetism producing a movement of protons.

7. Which list contains only electrical insulators?

A. glass, plastic, rubber B. glass, plastic, steel
C. glass, rubber, steel D. plastic, rubber, steel

8. A student rubs a rod held in his hand. Which action causes the rod to gain a large electrostatic charge?
A. rubbing an iron rod with a steel magnet B. rubbing an iron rod with a woollen duster
C. rubbing a polythene rod with a steel magnet D. rubbing a polythene rod with a woollen duster

9. A polythene rod is rubbed with a duster. The duster then attracts small pieces of paper. Are the rod and the
duster charged or uncharged?

gaining electrons
10. In an electrostatics experiment, a plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. The cloth becomes negatively charged.
Which diagram shows the charge on the rod, and describes the movement of charge?

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11. A negatively-charged balloon is brought towards a wall. Which statement explains what happens?
A. Negative charges on the balloon attract the negative charges in the wall.
B. Negative charges on the balloon have no effect on the charges in the wall.
C. Negative charges on the balloon repel the negative charges in the wall.
D. Negative charges on the balloon repel the positive charges in the wall.

12. The diagram shows a positively charged acetate strip and a negatively charged polythene strip that are freely
suspended.
Two rods X and Y are brought up in turn to these two strips. Rod X attracts the acetate strip but repels the
polythene strip. Rod Y does not repel either the acetate strip or the polythene strip. Which type of charge is
on each rod?

13. (a) Fig.13.1 shows a balloon hanging from an insulating thread.

Fig. 13.1

(i) A student gives the balloon a positive charge.

Which statement explains why the balloon becomes positively charged? Tick one box.
□ The balloon gains electrons
loses
□ The balloon gains electrons
□ The balloon gains protons
□ The balloon loses protons [1]

(ii) The student brings a charged rod close to the balloon as shown in Fig.13.2.

Fig. 13.2

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 State the type of charge on the rod. Explain your answer. [2]
the rod is positively charged. (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
The balloon moves away from the positively charged rod. Therefore, they must have the same charge; like
______________________________________________________________________________
charges repel. (1)
______________________________________________________________________________

(b) Electrical charges can move easily through some materials. Draw a circle around each material that
charges can move through easily. [1]

14. A student rubs a plastic rod with a dry cloth, as shown in Fig.14.1. The rod becomes negatively charged.

Fig. 14.1

(a) Use words from the box to complete the sentence.

air cloth electrons hand neutrons protons

electrons
The rod becomes negatively charged because ________________ move from the ________________
cloth
to the rod. [2]

(b) The student moves the rod close to a suspended, charged rod. The two rods repel each other. State the
type of charge on the suspended rod. _________________________
negatively charged [1]
(b)
(c) Explain your answer to (a)(ii). [1]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Like charges repel
____________________________________________________________________________________

15. Fig.15.1 shows the apparatus for an experiment on electrostatics.

(a) Identify the pieces of equipment that are electrical conductors and those that are electrical insulators.
Draw a line from each piece of equipment to the correct box. [1]

Fig. 15.1

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 gain electrons
(b) State and explain how the polythene strip can be given a negative charge. [2]
____________________________________________________________________________________
The polythene strip is rubbed with cloth. (1)
Electrons are transferred from the cloth to the polythene strip. (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Describe how the apparatus in Fig.15.1 could be used to demonstrate that the polythene strip has a
negative charge. [2]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Bring the negatively charged strip near to the suspended polythene strip. (1)
If there is repulsion, then it has a negative charge. (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
gains electrons
16. (a) A student rubs a polythene rod with a dry cloth. The polythene rod becomes negatively charged.
Describe and explain how the rod becomes negatively charged. [3]
____________________________________________________________________________________
The polythene rod and dry cloth are charged by friction. (1)
The electrons are transferred from the dry cloth to the polythene rod. (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(b) The negatively charged polythene rod hangs from a nylon thread so that itis free to turn. The student
charges a second polythene rod and brings it close to the first rod, as shown in Fig.16.1.

Describe and explain what happens when the negatively charged rods are close to each other. [2]
____________________________________________________________________________________
The rod moves / rotates away. (1)
This is because both rods are negatively charged; like charges repel. (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

17. A student experiments with electric charge. rod loses electrons

(a) The student uses a dry cloth to rub a plastic rod. The road becomes positively charged. Explain how the
friction between the rod and the cloth causes the rod to become positively charged. Use your ideas about
the movement of charge. [2]
Electrons move/are transferred from the rod to the cloth.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(b) The student suspends a balloon from an insulating thread, as shown in Fig. 17.1.

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 Fig. 17.1
rod
The balloon has an electric charge. Explain how the student can use a positively charged road to
determine the charge on the balloon. [3]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Bring the positively charged rod close to the balloon. (1)
If the balloon repels, it is positively charged - since like charges repel (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
and if the balloon is negatively charged it will attract - opposite charges attract.(1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

18. (a) An uncharged conducting metal plate rests on [Link].18.1 shows the plate and positively
charged insulating plastic sheet placed on top of the metal plate.

Fig. 18.1

(i) Describe any flow of charge that takes place when the plastic sheet is placed on to the metal
plate. [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
The electrons in the metal plate will move towards the plastic sheet.
______________________________________________________________________________

(ii) On Fig.18.1,draw how charges are now arranged within the metal plate. [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

(iii) State and explain if this arrangement of charge helps to keep the plastic sheet in place. [2]
______________________________________________________________________________
Yes (1)
Unlike/opposite charges attract OR there is a strong force of attraction between the metal plate and the
______________________________________________________________________________
plastic sheet. (1)
______________________________________________________________________________

(b) Fig.18.2 shows two uncharged conducting spheres suspended on insulating threads.

Fig. 18.2

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 1. The spheres are now both given positive charges. On Fig.18.2, draw a possible position of each
sphere
spread and thread.
2. Explain the positions you have drawn. [2]
______________________________________________________________________________
Like charge repel.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

19. (a) State, in terms of their structure, why metals are good conductors of electricity. [1]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Metal have free - moving electrons / delocalized electrons.
____________________________________________________________________________________

(b) (i) Fig. 19.1 shows a positively charged cube of insulating material. The cube is fixed to a piece of
wood that is floating on water. A negatively charged rod is held above the piece of wood and
brought close to the cube, as shown.

Fig. 19.1

State and explain any movement of the piece of wood. [2]

______________________________________________________________________________
The wood moves towards the negatively charged rod / to the right (1)
Unlike/opposite charges attract. (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

(ii) Fig. 19.2 shows two cubes of insulating material. One is positively charged, and the other is
negatively charged. The cubes are fixed to a piece of wood that is floating on water. Charged
rods are held above the piece of wood and brought close to the cubes, as shown.

Fig. 19.2

State and explain any movement of the piece of wood. [2]

______________________________________________________________________________
The wood rotates /spins/turns (1)
The two forces causes a turning effect (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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 (c) In terms of a simple electron model, describe the differences between conductors and insulators. [2]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Conductors contains free delocalized electrons (1)
Insulators do not contain free delocalized electrons (1)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

(d) On Fig. 19.3,draw the electric field pattern around a single-point positive charge. [1]

Fig. 19.3

(e) (i) Describe what is meant by an electric field. [1]

______________________________________________________________________________
a region in which an electric charge experiences a force.
______________________________________________________________________________

(ii) State what is meant by the direction of an electric field. [1]

______________________________________________________________________________
the direction of the force on a positive charge
______________________________________________________________________________

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