I DO - Read and Annotate
When two balloons are rubbed with rabbit fur and released, they move even though nothing is touching them. The balloons push away from each other and respond to nearby objects such as the fur or a person. These effects are examples of static electricity. The word static means that electric charge is built up in one place, rather than flowing continuously. Static electricity allows objects to interact without physical contact.
People have noticed static electricity for thousands of years. Around 600 BCE, the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus observed that amber could attract small objects after being rubbed with cloth or fur. The Greek word for amber, ēlektron, is where the words electron and electricity comes from. Although Thales could not explain the cause, his observations showed that rubbing materials together could change how objects interact.
Modern science explains static electricity using the movement of electrons, which have a negative (–) charge. Protons, with a positive charge (+) remain fixed inside atomic nuclei. When a balloon is rubbed with rabbit fur, electrons are transferred from the fur to the balloon. The balloon gains extra electrons and becomes negatively charged, while the fur loses electrons and becomes positively charged. This process is called charging by friction. Friction does not create charge; it transfers electrons between materials.
WE DO - Group Practice
What actually moves when an object becomes electrically charged?
I DO - Read and Annotate
When two balloons are rubbed with rabbit fur and released, they move even though nothing is touching them. The balloons push away from each other and respond to nearby objects such as the fur or a person. These effects are examples of static electricity. The word static means that electric charge is built up in one place, rather than flowing continuously. Static electricity allows objects to interact without physical contact.
People have noticed static electricity for thousands of years. Around 600 BCE, the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus observed that amber could attract small objects after being rubbed with cloth or fur. The Greek word for amber, ēlektron, is where the words electron and electricity comes from. Although Thales could not explain the cause, his observations showed that rubbing materials together could change how objects interact.
Modern science explains static electricity using the movement of electrons, which have a negative (–) charge. Protons, with a positive charge (+) remain fixed inside atomic nuclei. When a balloon is rubbed with rabbit fur, electrons are transferred from the fur to the balloon. The balloon gains extra electrons and becomes negatively charged, while the fur loses electrons and becomes positively charged. This process is called charging by friction. Friction does not create charge; it transfers electrons between materials.
WE DO - Group Practice
What actually moves when an object becomes electrically charged?
