ElectricityComparison

Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity

Part of Static Electricity · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This comparison covers Uses and Dangers of 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 7 of 15 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 7 of 15

Practice

15 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

⚖️ Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity

Comparison grid on a dark backdrop with two columns. Left column 'USES' (cool cyan tiles) shows three beneficial applications: inkjet printer (charged ink droplets deflected by an electric field), electrostatic spray painting (charged paint attracted to oppositely-charged object), and defibrillator (large built-up charge discharged through the chest to restart the heart). Right column 'DANGERS' (warm amber tiles) shows two hazards: fuel tanker refuelling (friction builds charge that could spark and ignite vapour, controlled by an earthing wire to ground) and lightning strike (charge builds between storm clouds and ground, controlled by a lightning conductor). Footer note: both dangers are controlled by earthing — providing a safe path for charge to flow to ground.

Figure 2: Common uses and dangers of static electricity.

Use	How static electricity is used
Inkjet printers	Charged ink droplets are deflected by electric fields to land in precise positions on paper
Photocopiers / laser printers	A charged drum attracts toner powder (charged particles) to form the image, then transfers it to paper
Electrostatic spray painting	Paint droplets are given a charge; the object being painted is given the opposite charge — paint is attracted evenly to all surfaces, even hard-to-reach areas, with less waste
Defibrillators	A large charge is built up on capacitor plates and discharged through the patient's chest to restart the heart
Air filters / precipitators	Particles in smoke are charged and attracted to oppositely charged plates, removing them from the air

Danger	How static electricity causes the hazard
Fuel tanker refuelling	Friction between fuel and pipe builds up charge; spark could ignite fuel vapour. Tanker is earthed via a conducting wire to drain charge safely
Lightning strike	Charge builds up between storm clouds and ground; discharge through person or building can be lethal. Lightning conductors divert discharge safely to earth
Computer components	Static discharge can destroy delicate electronic components. Engineers use earthing wrist straps and anti-static mats
Aircraft refuelling	Same principle as fuel tankers — aircraft are earthed before refuelling begins

Practice Questions for Static Electricity

When a plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth, the rod becomes negatively charged. Which statement best explains why?

A. Protons move from the cloth to the rod
B. Electrons move from the cloth to the rod
C. Electrons move from the rod to the cloth
D. Both protons and electrons transfer between the objects

1 markfoundation

Explain why a fuel tanker must be earthed before fuel is pumped, and describe how earthing prevents a dangerous spark.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

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)

State the rule for forces between electric charges.

Like charges REPEL each other. Unlike (opposite) charges ATTRACT each other.

Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity

⚖️ Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity

Keep building this topic

Practice Questions for Static Electricity

Quick Recall Flashcards

15 questions on Static Electricity — practise free