Atoms and Electricity

• ​The electron is most important because it is on the outside of the atom, so it can leave the atom to find a neutral charge.

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• ​The number of electrons compared to protons & neutrons determines if the atom is positive or negative.

​If atoms in one material become positive, that means atoms in another material become positive.

This is why duster's work the way they do to attract and keep the dust that is usually just resting on surfaces.

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• ​Static electricity occurs when there is a build-up of electrons in a material.

• ​Electrons build-up in insulators.

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• When the charged insulator gets close to a conductor, it releases the electrons, causing a shock. ​

Opposites attract!

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• ​Objects want to become neutral by giving or taking electrons to balance out their charge.

• ​Like charges push each other away. Just like similar magnetic poles push away from each other and opposite magnetic poles attract each other.