PEC120 General Physics

Introducing Electrostatics

Channel Setting Instructions for ResponseCard RF 1. Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. 2. While the light is flashing red and green, enter the 2 digit channel code (i.e. channel 1 = 01, channel 21 = 21). Channel is 41 3. After the second digit is entered, Press and release the "GO" or "CH" button. The light should flash green to confirm. 4. Press and release the "1/A" button. The light should flash amber to confirm.

The atom
The atom one of the fundamental building blocks of matter They are the smallest particle that we can image (sorry I forgot where I downloaded this fromprobably IBM)

Inside the atom

The atom, once thought to be the smallest particle is made up of three smaller particles
proton neutron electron

Protons (+ve) and Neutrons (no charge) are found in the nucleus. Electrons (-ve) orbit around the nucleus

The atom
When the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons, the atom is neutrally charged.that is there is no NET charge. If the atom gains an electron, it is said to be negatively charged (negative ion) if it looses one it is positively charged (positive ion)

Opposites attract
The idea that opposites attract comes from physics
Negative charges attract positive charges Negative charges repel negative charges Positive charges repel positive charges)

The same principle applies to magnetism (north attracts south pole, north and north repel)

2 socks are observed to attract each other. Which, if any, of the first 3 statements MUST be true? (emphasis on MUST)
1.

2.

3.

4.

The socks both have a non-zero net charge of the same sign. The socks both have a non-zero net charge of opposite sign. Only one sock is charged; the other is neutral. None of the preceding statements MUST be true.

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Symbols and Units of Charge

It seems natural that the basic unit of charge would be the charge on the electron (-e) or proton (+e), but it isnt all that practical in the macro world e is the elementary charge We usually q as the symbol and coulombs (C) as our unit of charge. 1e = 1.602x10-19 C

Why Coulombs?
If we charge a balloon by rubbing across your hair, billions of electrons are transferred. Ie ~109 e = 1.602x 10-10 C = 16nC However, in most examples, the amount of charge is usually larger than ~C When you consider this, its easy to see why we use the unit C, rather than e.

Millikan Oil Drop

Cahill, J. (2005) Heinemann Physics for WA 2nd Edition

Charging by Contact
The Millikan Oil Drop experiment is an example where a material was charged by contact (or friction) In its simplest form, charging by contact happens when one object touches or rubs against another.
The balloon on the board is also an example!

Charging by contact
Rubber clogs and supermarket vinyl Van de Graaff generator Shoes on the mats under the pedals in cars Aircraft

Charging by Induction
We can also charge something just by bringing a charged object close to it This is known as charging by induction Not surprisingly, induction only works with conductors.well discuss what these are soon.

Electrostatic Induction
If we look at the example of the balloon, but replace it with a ruler (its easier to draw) and paper bits again We would see that the ruler has an excess of electrons. When it is brought near to the paper, the electrons in the paper are repelled to the furthest side away from the ruler
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ++++ ++++ ++++ -- ---- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

++++ ++++ ++++ -- ---- --

When the charge in 1 object causes a charge in another this is called induction

Electrostatic Induction
(1)

A positively charged rod is placed near a conducting object attached to an insulating glass pedestal (but not touching.)

+ +

+ + + +

(2)

The opposite side of the conductor is grounded for a short time interval.

+ +

+ + + +

Electrostatic Induction
(1)

Then the ground wire is removed

+ +

+ + + +

(2)

And finally the rod is removed.

What is the charge remaining on the conductor in the end?

1. 2. 3. 4.

(+) Positive (-) Negative 0 Neutral Not sure / Cant decide

+ + + + + + +

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Polarisation
If you dont have free electrons, or electrons which can move throughout the material, induction still occurs But, there is a rearrangement of the electrons around the nucleus.

Polarisation
If we could see the electrons and the nucleus what we would see is a change in the shape of the electron cloud and a change in the relative position of the nucleus

Dipoles
You can also get a situation where there is an uneven distribution between the ve and +ve charges in a molecule. This is important in chemistry!

What happens if we try the ruler trick with a metal object???

1.

2.

3. 4.

The bits of paper would be attracted The bits of paper would be repelled Nothing at all We would look silly

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Electrostatics and Materials

What happens if we try the ruler trick with a metal object??? In the case of a metal object, the excess electrons dont build up, they travel through the metal and are dispersed amongst all of the other free electrons.

Conductors
Metals (and some non metals) have a fairly rigid lattice of metallic ions which are surrounded by a sea of electrons Any excess electrons get absorbed into this sea of electrons

Delocalised sea of electrons

+ + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + +

+ + + + + +

Glad Wrap and Bowls

Plastic food wrap (ie GladWrap) becomes electrically charged when pulled from its container. As a result, it is attracted to objects such as food containers.

Does the wrap stick better to plastic or metal containers?

1. 2. 3.

4.

Yes! No! I havent really noticed I dont use wrap

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Glad Wrap and Bowls

Plastic food wrap (ie GladWrap) becomes electrically charged when pulled from its container. As a result, it is attracted to objects such as food containers. The charged wrap nicely polarizes non conducting plastic rather than metal, resulting in better sticking.

Conductors
Its important to note that the electrons in conductors are not completely free of interactions when they move in the sea. They still experience some resistance
electrical friction if you let me stretch the mechanics analogy!

Resistance isnt good, because it results in energy losses (just like Friction!)

Insulators
In non metals, the electrons are an important aspect of the bonding and are not free to move around. This means that they do not allow a flow of electrons and they do not conduct charge.

Examples
Conductors Metals Ionic Solutions Good Insulators Plastics Glass Dry fabrics Ice Wood Paper

Water Body Semiconductors

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Semiconductors
Some non metals, usually silicon and germanium are part of a group called the semiconductors. These are materials which arent as conductive as the metals, but can be made more conductive by adding small amounts of impurities

Silicon solar cells

Superconductors
Some materials, particularly at very low temperatures (~0K) are perfect conductors, they have NO resistance. This means that once electric current enters the superconductor the electrons will continue to flow forever
http://www.superconductors.org/

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Why are Superconductors important???

Superconductors can handle large currents with no resistance and extremely low energy losses
This is a huge benefit over regular conductors

But, only if we can get them at temperatures very close to 0K!

Applications of High Temp SC

Application
Electrical Cabling

Benefits
HTS cables can carry three to five times more power than conventional utility cables, which means they can more easily meet increasing power demands in urban areas.

Motors Generators

Motors made with superconducting wire will be smaller and more efficient. HTS generators will use superconducting wire in place of iron magnets, making them smaller and lighter. They may also get more power from less fuel.

Im really sorry about todays cartoon. it just has to be done!

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