🎯 Common Question Types:
- "Explain how [object] becomes charged by friction" — 3 marks (electrons, direction, reason for charge)
- "Describe the electric field around [charged object]" — 2 marks (field line direction + spacing)
- "Explain how a lightning conductor works" — 4 marks (charge, field, discharge path, safe earthing)
- "Give one use of static electricity" — 1 mark (name it; for 2 marks, explain how it uses static)
- "Why is the fuel tanker earthed?" — 3 marks (friction → charge → spark → earthing prevents)
📝 Key Command Words:
- Explain — give a reason; "because" must appear in your answer
- Describe — state what happens; the examiner wants facts, not causes
- Draw / sketch — for field line diagrams: add arrows showing direction; show denser lines near the charge
- In terms of electrons — this phrase means you MUST mention electrons specifically
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Saying "positive charges move" or "protons transfer" — protons NEVER move in friction charging
- Drawing field lines with arrows pointing the wrong way (positive: outward; negative: inward)
- Missing the word "electrons" in charging explanations — one mark lost immediately
- Forgetting to explain WHY earthing works (it provides a conducting path, so charge flows away)
- Confusing "discharge" with "charge building up" — in the exam, discharge = charge flowing away/escaping
This exam tips covers Exam Tips within Static Electricity for GCSE Physics. Revise Static Electricity in Electricity for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 14 of 15 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Static Electricity
When a plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth, the rod becomes negatively charged. Which statement best explains why?
Explain why a fuel tanker must be earthed before fuel is pumped, and describe how earthing prevents a dangerous spark.
Quick recall flashcards
State the rule for forces between electric charges.
Like charges REPEL each other. Unlike (opposite) charges ATTRACT each other.
Give THREE uses of static electricity.
1. Inkjet printers — charged droplets deflected by electric fields
2. Photocopiers — charged toner attracted to charged drum
3. Electrostatic spray painting — charged paint attracted to oppositely charged object
(Also: defibrillators, electrostatic precipitators)