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This question is about static electricity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 10
This question is about static electricity. (a) A student has a rubber balloon tied to a long piece of cotton thread. The student gives the balloon an overall elect... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about static electricity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe one way that the student could give the balloon an overall electrostatic charge.
Answer
The student can give the balloon an overall electrostatic charge by rubbing it with a piece of fabric, like wool. This process transfers electrons from the fabric to the balloon, leading to a negative charge on the balloon.
Step 2
Step 3
Explain how the student can show that the two balloons have the same type of charge.
Answer
The student can demonstrate that the two balloons have the same type of charge by bringing them close together. If they repel each other, this indicates that both balloons have the same type of charge (either both are negatively charged or both are positively charged).
Step 4
Step 5
Explain why the disc now has an overall positive charge.
Answer
The disc now has an overall positive charge because while keeping it above the charged plastic block and tapping it, some electrons from the metal disc are transferred to the plastic block, resulting in a deficiency of electrons on the disc and thus a positive charge.
Step 6
Draw lines to show the shape and direction of the electric field between the metal disc and the plastic block.
Answer
The electric field lines should be drawn from the positively charged metal disc to the negatively charged plastic block, indicating the direction of the force experienced by a positive test charge placed within the field.