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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

calculate molarity of NaOH solution when 25.0ml of NaOH titrated with 27.2ml of 0.2m H2SO4
Gasin Reply
what's Thermochemistry
rhoda Reply
the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical reactions
Kaddija
How was CH4 and o2 was able to produce (Co2)and (H2o
Edafe Reply
explain please
Victory
First twenty elements with their valences
Martine Reply
what is chemistry
asue Reply
what is atom
asue
what is the best way to define periodic table for jamb
Damilola Reply
what is the change of matter from one state to another
Elijah Reply
what is isolation of organic compounds
IKyernum Reply
what is atomic radius
ThankGod Reply
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Dr
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Kareem
Atomic radius is the radius of the atom and is also called the orbital radius
Kareem
atomic radius is the distance between the nucleus of an atom and its valence shell
Amos
Read Chapter 6, section 5
paulino
Bohr's model of the theory atom
Ayom Reply
is there a question?
Dr
when a gas is compressed why it becomes hot?
ATOMIC
It has no oxygen then
Goldyei
read the chapter on thermochemistry...the sections on "PV" work and the First Law of Thermodynamics should help..
Dr
Which element react with water
Mukthar Reply
Mgo
Ibeh
an increase in the pressure of a gas results in the decrease of its
Valentina Reply
definition of the periodic table
Cosmos Reply
What is the lkenes
Da Reply
what were atoms composed of?
Moses Reply
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Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
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