Static Electricity

This lesson covers static electricity — as required by the Edexcel GCSE Physics specification (1PH0). You need to understand how objects become charged, the forces between charged objects, and the applications and dangers of static electricity.

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What Is Static Electricity?

Static electricity is the build-up of electric charge on the surface of an object. Unlike current electricity (where charge flows continuously through a circuit), static charge stays in one place — it is stationary (hence "static").

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How Do Objects Become Charged?

Objects become charged by friction — when two different insulating materials are rubbed together.

The Process

1. When two insulating materials are rubbed together, electrons are transferred from one material to the other.
2. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged (it has more electrons than protons).
3. The material that loses electrons becomes positively charged (it has more protons than electrons).

Key Points