Topic 11: Static electricity – GCSE Edexcel Foundation Physics revision notes

Electrostatic charge and electric fields. 3 lessons in 1 subtopic.

Static electricity is electric charge that builds up on insulating materials when they are rubbed together, caused by the transfer of electrons between surfaces. The Producing Static Electricity notes cover this in full.

An electric field is a region around a charged object where other charged objects experience a force. The Introducing Electric Fields notes cover this in full.

Lightning forms when ice particles rub together in storm clouds, transferring electrons so the bottom of the cloud becomes negatively charged. The Producing Static Electricity notes cover this in full.

Static electricity is produced when certain insulating materials are rubbed together, transferring electrons from one surface to the other. The Producing Static Electricity notes cover this in full.

Atoms are electrically neutral before rubbing because they contain equal numbers of positive protons and negative electrons. The Producing Static Electricity notes cover this in full.

Photocopiers and laser printers use electric fields to control where toner sticks to paper. The Electric Fields and Forces notes cover this in full.

The electric field pattern for an isolated charged sphere is radial: straight field lines radiate outward in all directions like spokes on a wheel. The Introducing Electric Fields notes cover this in full.

Uses of electrostatics include photocopiers and laser printers, where oppositely charged toner is attracted to a charge pattern, and paint spraying, where charged paint droplets are attracted to an oppositely charged object, giving even coverage and reducing waste. The Electric Fields and Forces notes cover this in full.