Electrostatics

An object's electric charge is typically measured in coulombs (C). The electric charge of an object depends on the number of protons and electrons it contains. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge. The total charge of an object is the difference between the number of protons and electrons.

Cotton tends to repel static electricity, as it is a natural fiber that is less prone to building up a charge compared to synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. However, this can vary depending on factors like humidity and friction.

Moisture in the air can help dissipate static electricity because water molecules are good conductors of electricity. This can prevent the accumulation and discharge of static charges on surfaces or objects. In drier conditions, static electricity is more likely to build up and cause sparks or shocks.

Thermoelectric generators convert heat directly into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, which creates a voltage difference across a thermoelectric material when a temperature gradient is applied. This voltage generates an electric current that can be used to power electronic devices or recharge batteries. Thermo-electric generators are often used in situations where a consistent heat source is available, such as in spacecraft, remote sensors, or waste heat recovery systems.

Electrostatic dust extractors use an electrically charged surface to attract and collect dust particles from the air. When the dust particles pass near the charged surface, they become polarized and are drawn towards the surface, where they adhere and are collected. This method is effective in removing fine particles that may not be captured by traditional filtration systems.

The electrostatic force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges. Thus, if one charge is multiplied by 5 and the other by 4, the electrostatic force between them will be multiplied by 5x4=20.

Brass is a conductor of electricity, so when two brass objects are rubbed together, any charge generated would quickly dissipate through the material. This makes it difficult to build up and maintain a static charge on brass through rubbing.

Airplanes discharge excess static charge through static wicks or static discharge wicks attached to the wings and tail. These wicks help to dissipate the static electricity safely into the surrounding air, reducing the risk of electrical discharge.

When a metal rod is held in hand, it gets grounded, which means the excess charge created on it during rubbing gets neutralized by the body's conducting properties. This prevents the accumulation of charge on the rod, making it unable to hold a charge.

When two objects have the same electrical charge, they repel each other.

Static electricity is more likely to build up in dry environments because moisture in the air can help dissipate the charge. Common sources of static electricity include rubbing materials together, like walking on a carpet and touching a metal object, or synthetic materials rubbing against each other.

Static electricity produced by rubbing the comb on dry hair creates a charge imbalance that attracts the water molecules in the stream of water. The water molecules are polar, so they are attracted to the charged comb and will align themselves with the electrostatic field, causing the water stream to bend towards the charged comb.

A PVC pipe alone does not generate static electricity. Electrons need to be transfered for static electricity to be generated. Rubbing felt on the pipe or spraying it with sand are two common ways that people can use PVC pipe to generate static electricity.

When you move the ebonite rod closer to the pith ball, the pith ball becomes negatively charged due to the transfer of electrons from the rod to the ball (inducing a positive charge on the rod). When you move the rod away, the pith ball returns to its neutral state as the charges redistribute.

A charge on a rubber rod refers to an excess or deficiency of electrons on its surface, making it either positively or negatively charged. This charge imbalance can occur through processes like friction or induction and can create attractive or repulsive forces with other charged objects.

when we rub the plastic scale against the hair it loses the electrons and whenever an object loses electrons it becomes positively charged .When this positively charged plastic scale brought nearer to paper pieces induces charge on it and electrons revolving in discrete orbits are attracted and nucleus is pushed back so that repulsion do not take place.

An object can be electrostatically charged by friction, contact or induction.

Diamagnetic shielding refers to the ability of a material to create a magnetic field in the opposite direction to an external magnetic field, thus reducing the overall magnetic field within the material. This shielding effect helps protect sensitive equipment or materials from the influence of external magnetic fields. Materials with diamagnetic properties include superconductors and some metals like bismuth and copper.

A gold leaf electroscope operates based on the principle of charge repulsion. When a charged object is brought close to the metal plate of the electroscope, it induces a charge on the metal leaves, causing them to repel each other and spread apart due to the like charges. This movement of the gold leaves serves as an indicator of the presence and type of charge on the object.

Static electricity can be stored in an object that has insulating properties, such as a glass or plastic container, as long as the object is dry and isolated from any conductive materials. The static charge can be retained until it is discharged by coming into contact with a conductor.

When polythene is rubbed with wool, electrons are transferred from the wool to the polythene due to differences in their electronegativities. The polythene gains extra electrons, making it negatively charged, while the wool becomes positively charged due to losing electrons.

Electric field lines do not break because they represent the continuous flow of electric force between charges, and breaking them would imply a sudden discontinuity in the force acting on a charge. In reality, electric field lines are a useful visual representation of a continuous field that extends throughout space.

After an electrical discharge in static electricity, the source typically returns to a neutral state, meaning it has neither a positive nor negative charge. The excess charge that caused the static electricity is usually dissipated into the air or transferred to another object during the discharge.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) tools are devices used to prevent damage to electronic components from static electricity. They are grounded tools that help to safely handle sensitive electronic components by dissipating any built-up static charge on the person using them. Examples include ESD-safe mats, wrist straps, and grounded workstations.

Lighting is not typically described as static electricity. Static electricity refers to the buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object, while lighting refers to the discharge of atmospheric electricity. They both involve the movement of electric charge, but they are distinct phenomena with different causes and characteristics.