ElectricityTopic Summary
Knowledge Organiser: Static Electricity
Part of Static Electricity · GCSE GCSE Physics revision
This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser: Static Electricity 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 15 of 15 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 15 of 15
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser: Static Electricity
Key Terms
- Static electricity: charge build-up on an insulator
- Electric field: region where a charge experiences a force
- Earthing: conducting path to ground to remove charge
- Discharge: rapid flow of charge away from charged object
- Electrostatic induction: charge redistribution in neutral object near charge
Must-Know Facts
- Only electrons transfer — protons stay fixed
- Gain electrons → negative; lose electrons → positive
- Like charges repel; unlike charges attract
- Field lines: direction of force on a positive charge
- Denser field lines = stronger field
- Only insulators build up static (conductors are earthed)
Uses
- Inkjet printers (charged droplets)
- Photocopiers (charged toner)
- Spray painting (opposite charges attract)
- Defibrillators (capacitor discharge)
Dangers & Solutions
- Fuel tanker sparks → earth the tanker
- Lightning strike → lightning conductor
- Computer damage → anti-static wrist straps
Key Equations
- F ∝ Q₁ × Q₂ (force increases with charge)
- F ∝ 1/d² (force decreases with distance squared)
- Like charges repel; unlike charges attract
- Electric field strength E = V ÷ d (between parallel plates)
Common Mistakes
- Saying protons move during charging: Only electrons transfer during friction — protons are fixed in the nucleus and do not move
- Confusing charge and current: Static electricity involves charge that is not flowing; current electricity involves charge flowing continuously
- Saying like charges attract: Like charges (both positive or both negative) repel; unlike charges (opposite) attract — always check the signs
- Forgetting earthing discharges safely: Earthing provides a safe path for charge to flow to ground — without it, a sudden discharge can cause sparks or electric shock
- Thinking insulators cannot be charged: Insulators can be charged by friction (e.g. rubbing a plastic rod) — they hold charge because it cannot flow through them