<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Learning objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Define conductor and insulator, explain the difference, and give examples of each.
  • Describe three methods for charging an object.
  • Explain what happens to an electric force as you move farther from the source.
  • Define polarization.

The information presented in this section supports the following AP® learning objectives and science practices:

  • 1.B.2.2 The student is able to make a qualitative prediction about the distribution of positive and negative electric charges within neutral systems as they undergo various processes. (S.P. 6.4, 7.2)
  • 1.B.2.3 The student is able to challenge claims that polarization of electric charge or separation of charge must result in a net charge on the object. (S.P. 6.1)
  • 4.E.3.1 The student is able to make predictions about the redistribution of charge during charging by friction, conduction, and induction. (S.P. 6.4)
  • 4.E.3.2 The student is able to make predictions about the redistribution of charge caused by the electric field due to other systems, resulting in charged or polarized objects. (S.P. 6.4, 7.2)
  • 4.E.3.3 The student is able to construct a representation of the distribution of fixed and mobile charge in insulators and conductors. (S.P. 1.1, 1.4, 6.4)
  • 4.E.3.4 The student is able to construct a representation of the distribution of fixed and mobile charge in insulators and conductors that predicts charge distribution in processes involving induction or conduction. (S.P. 1.1, 1.4, 6.4)
  • 4.E.3.5 The student is able to plan and/or analyze the results of experiments in which electric charge rearrangement occurs by electrostatic induction, or is able to refine a scientific question relating to such an experiment by identifying anomalies in a data set or procedure. (S.P. 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.3)
This black power charging unit connects a laptop to an electrical outlet, allowing the laptop to be charged up.
This power adapter uses metal wires and connectors to conduct electricity from the wall socket to a laptop computer. The conducting wires allow electrons to move freely through the cables, which are shielded by rubber and plastic. These materials act as insulators that don't allow electric charge to escape outward. (credit: Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons)

Some substances, such as metals and salty water, allow charges to move through them with relative ease. Some of the electrons in metals and similar conductors are not bound to individual atoms or sites in the material. These free electrons can move through the material much as air moves through loose sand. Any substance that has free electrons and allows charge to move relatively freely through it is called a conductor    . The moving electrons may collide with fixed atoms and molecules, losing some energy, but they can move in a conductor. Superconductors allow the movement of charge without any loss of energy. Salty water and other similar conducting materials contain free ions that can move through them. An ion is an atom or molecule having a positive or negative (nonzero) total charge. In other words, the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons.

Questions & Answers

What are types of cell
Nansoh Reply
how can I get this book
Gatyin Reply
what is lump
Chineye Reply
what is cell
Maluak Reply
what is biology
Maluak
what's cornea?
Majak Reply
what are cell
Achol
Explain the following terms . (1) Abiotic factors in an ecosystem
Nomai Reply
Abiotic factors are non living components of ecosystem.These include physical and chemical elements like temperature,light,water,soil,air quality and oxygen etc
Qasim
what is biology
daniel Reply
what is diffusion
Emmanuel Reply
passive process of transport of low-molecular weight material according to its concentration gradient
AI-Robot
what is production?
Catherine
Pathogens and diseases
how did the oxygen help a human being
Achol Reply
how did the nutrition help the plants
Achol Reply
Biology is a branch of Natural science which deals/About living Organism.
Ahmedin Reply
what is phylogeny
Odigie Reply
evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group of organisms
AI-Robot
ok
Deng
what is biology
Hajah Reply
cell is the smallest unit of the humanity biologically
Abraham
ok
Achol
what is biology
Victoria Reply
what is biology
Abraham
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 7

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College physics for ap® courses' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask