Which particle in an atom has a negative charge?
The particle in an atom that has a negative charge is the electron. When an object has a net negative charge, this means the object has more electrons than protons.
Which particle in an atom has a positive charge?
The particle in an atom that has a positive charge is the proton. When an object has a net positive charge, this means the object has more protons than electrons.
What is needed to change the motion of an object?
A net force applied on the object is needed for an object to change its current state of motion.
What is a net force?
A net force is a force that changes the motion or shape of an object.
What is a contact force?
A contact force is a force that arises when two objects physically touch each other. It's the push or pull exerted by one object on another due to their direct contact. Imagine pushing a book across a table or kicking a ball – the push and the kick are both contact forces because your hand or foot is directly interacting with the object.
What is a non-contact force?
A non-contact force is a force that acts on an object without any physical touch between the objects. It's like an invisible push or pull that happens at a distance. Gravity, electricity, and magnetism are all examples of non-contact forces.
Here's a breakdown to help you understand:
- No physical contact: Unlike a push or a pull where you directly touch something, non-contact forces work even when objects aren't physically interacting.
- Acts at a distance: These forces can influence objects even when they're separated by some space. For example, the Earth's gravity pulls you down even though you're not touching the ground.
- Invisible fields: Often, non-contact forces are associated with invisible fields. These fields surround the object exerting the force and can influence other objects within that field. For instance, a magnet creates a magnetic field that attracts or repels other magnets, even without touching.
Non-contact forces play a crucial role in our world, from keeping us grounded by gravity to powering our devices with electricity.
What is electric force?
Electric force is a non-contact force that exists between objects due to their electric charges. It's a push or pull exerted by one charged object on another, even if they aren't touching. Here are some key points about electric force:
- Source of the Force: Electric charges are the fundamental property responsible for electric forces. These charges come in two types: positive and negative.
- Interaction:
- Like charges (positive-positive or negative-negative) repel each other. This means they experience a pushing force away from each other.
- Opposite charges (positive-negative) attract each other. This means they experience a pulling force towards each other.
- Strength of the Force: The strength of the electric force depends on two main factors:
- Magnitude of the charges: The greater the charge on each object, the stronger the electric force. Imagine two magnets – the stronger the magnets, the greater the force they exert on each other.
- Distance between the objects: The farther apart the objects are, the weaker the electric force becomes.
What is an insulator?
An insulator is a material that resists the flow of electricity very well. Imagine a highway for tiny electrical charges – an insulator acts like a roadblock on that highway, making it difficult for the charges to move freely.
Some common examples of insulators include rubber, plastic, wood, glass, and dry air. These materials are widely used in electrical applications for safety purposes.
What is a conductor?
A conductor is a material that allows electricity to flow through it easily. Imagine a highway for tiny electrical charges – a conductor acts like a wide-open road, allowing charges to move freely.
Some common examples of conductors include metals like copper, aluminum, and silver. These materials are widely used in electrical applications for their ability to carry current.
What is static electricity?
Static electricity is a buildup of electric charges on the surface of an object. It's a temporary phenomenon that occurs due to the imbalance of electrons (tiny negatively charged particles) between objects.
Static electricity is usually temporary because the charges tend to flow away or discharge when they come in contact with a conductor or another object with an opposite charge. This discharge is often felt as a small zap.
What is an electric field?
An electric field is an invisible region of space surrounding a charged object where the object exerts an electrical force on other charged objects. Imagine an invisible sphere or aura around the charged object.
Have you ever noticed how TV and computer screens tend to collect more dust than other objects. What causes some objects to stick to other objects? One cause is an electric force between the two objects. Get started now investigating the electric force associated with static electricity.
