Phys Electrostatics Notes - Modine

Electrostatics


1. Electrostatic or Static Charge

2. Law of Charges
• opposites attract
• likes repel

3. Types of Charges
• positive
• negative
• neutral

4. Insulator
• object that electricity will not pass through
• has high resistance
• ex.: wood, rubber, pure water, plastic, fiberglass, glass

5. Conductor
• allows electricity to pass
• ex.: metals, silver (absolute best), silicon (computer chips)

6. Charging
• induction = charging without contact
• conduction = charging with contact
• grounding = electricity wants to find path of least resistance to the ground

7. Coulomb’s Law
• F = ( (k)(q1)(q2) ) / ( (r2) )
• F is F (sub e)
• k = constant = 9.0 x 109
• q = charge
• r = distance between charges

8. Charge of an Electron
• e- = 1.6 x 10-19 c
• c = Coulombs (unit for charge)

9. Total Charge
• Q = (N) (e-)
• Q = total charge
• N = 3 of e-

10. Electrical Field