Static Electricity

Question 0

How an electrostatic/smoke precipitator works

Answer 0

• a metal grid is given a negative charge (by being attracted to a negative terminal of an electrostatic generator)
• dirt and ash rising up the chimney, touch the grid and gain a negative charge
• metal plates above the gird are positively charged (or earthed)
• negatively charged dirt and ash are attracted to the metal plate as opposite charges attract
• cleaner gases leave the chimney
• all the smoke particles are collected and made into bricks

Question 1

How a defibrillator works

Answer 1

• paddles charged and handles insulated
• good contact is made with patients chest
• charge is passed through the patient to make heart contract
• ensure everyone is standing back from the patient

Question 2

Painting a bike frame using static electricity

Answer 2

• paint in fine powdered form given a positive charge while in paint gun
• given that charge by attaching gun to the positive terminal of a power supply/by friction between the power and pipes it moves through
• bike frame hung on a metal hook that is attached to earth (physical earth) which has an abundance of electrons and a potential of 0 volts
• the powder when leaving the gun becomes positively charged so each droplet repels forming a cloud
• the bike is initially neutrally charged, but as the positively charged paint closens the bike it attracts electrons from the earth into the frame, causing he paint to stick better as opposites attract

Question 3

How can a car become charged on a journey

Answer 3

When a car gets charged it cannot escape as the tires insulate it

Question 4

How can you get a minor electric shock when you get out of a car

Answer 4

As all the electrons escape the car through your body

Question 5

What is a conducting strip on a car

Answer 5

The charge from the car can escape down it as it is a conductor