Charge comes in two types, positive and

negative
Opposite charges Identical charges
attract each other repel each other

attraction repulsion

repulsion
attraction
Model of charges in materials

According to our model:

All objects contain many negatively charged electrons
and positively charged protons.
In neutral objects (with no net charge) the number of +
charges is equal to the number of – charges and the
charges are evenly distributed.
Model of charges in materials

An object aquires a charge when it gains or loses

negative electrons. Electrons are small and light, and
found on the outside of atoms.
The positive charges are carried by protons which
normally do not move. Protons are large and heavy
and form the nuclei at the center of atoms.

Positively charged
Negatively charged
object
object
Nature of materials

A characteristic of different materials is their ability to

allow internal negative charges to move. Materials can
be broadly divided into two categories

Conductor Insulator

Observe the behavior of the charges inside each

material
What seems to be the biggest difference
between these two types of material?
1) The balance of
charges in the neutral
state
2) The way in which
equal charges interact
with each other
3) The amount of
movement in the
0 0 0 0 0
material’s charges
4) One material does not

.
.

t..

..
.

u.
g.

rib
...

no
eq
ar

ov

sc
interact with external
ch

s
ch

de
do
hi
of

of

e
w
ce

l
nt

es
ia
negative charges in

ou
n

th
er
la

ay

at
am

of
ba

e
e

ne

on
5) None of these
Th

Th

Th

N
describes a difference
What seems to be the biggest difference
between these two types of material?
1) The balance of
charges in the neutral
state
2) The way in which
equal charges interact
with each other
3) The amount of
movement in the
0 0 0 0 0
material’s charges
4) One material does not

.
.

t..

..
.

u.
g.

rib
...

no
eq
ar

ov

sc
interact with external
ch

s
ch

de
do
hi
of

of

e
w
ce

l
nt

es
ia
negative charges in

ou
n

th
er
la

ay

at
am

of
ba

e
e

ne

on
5) None of these
Th

Th

Th

N
describes a difference
Nature of materials
Conductor
• Negative charges (electrons)
can move freely through the
material as they are pushed
or pulled
Conductor
Insulator
• Negative charges (electrons)
can only redistribute
themselves a little as they are
pushed or pulled
Insulator
Wimshurt Machine

Observe the operation of the Wimshurst machine.

Which item describes something you
observe in the operation of the Wimshurst
machine?
1) Charges are being
separated into positive
and negative
2) The handle is turned and
after a period of time there
is a spark and a noise
between the two globes
3) A positive charge and a
negative charge are
attracted to each other 0 0 0 0 0
4) Charges are being moved

.
d.

..
..
from one globe to the

...

...
d.

s.
an
se

ge
e
rn

ge

g
g

ar
other

in
tu
in

ar

ch
be
be

is

ch

c
e
le
e

pi
ar
e
ar

nd
5) Microscopic charges
t iv

co
s
s

ha

si

s
e
e

ro
rg
rg

po
e

ic
ha
accumulate in each globe
ha

Th

M
C
C

until there are enough to

Which item describes something you
observe in the operation of the Wimshurst
machine?
1) Charges are being
separated into positive
and negative
2) The handle is turned and
after a period of time there
is a spark and a noise
between the two globes
3) A positive charge and a
negative charge are
attracted to each other 0 0 0 0 0
4) Charges are being moved

.
d.

..
..
from one globe to the

...

...
d.

s.
an
se

ge
e
rn

ge

g
g

ar
other

in
tu
in

ar

ch
be
be

is

ch

c
e
le
e

pi
ar
e
ar

nd
5) Microscopic charges
t iv

co
s
s

ha

si

s
e
e

ro
rg
rg

po
e

ic
ha
accumulate in each globe
ha

Th

M
C
C

until there are enough to

Wimshurst machine

Suggest an explanation for what could be happening in

the two globes of the Wimshurst machine when the
crank is turned.
Which is the most plausible explanation of what
happens in the globes, based on our model of
charge and materials?
1) The machine is
creating protons
and/or electrons and
storing them in the
globes
2) The machine is
moving protons from
one globe and 0 0 0 0
electrons from the
other globe

..

..
..
.
ti.

i
i

ov

ov
ov
ea

m
m
3) The machine is cr

is

is

is
is

e
e

in

in

in
in

moving electrons only h

h
h

ac

ac

ac
ac

m
m

e
e

Th

Th

Th
Th

4) The machine is
Which is the most plausible explanation of what
happens in the globes, based on our model of
charge and materials?
1) The machine is
creating protons
and/or electrons and
storing them in the
globes
2) The machine is
moving protons from
one globe and 0 0 0 0
electrons from the
other globe

..

..
..
.
ti.

i
i

ov

ov
ov
ea

m
m
3) The machine is cr

is

is

is
is

e
e

in

in

in
in

moving electrons only h

h
h

ac

ac

ac
ac

m
m

e
e

Th

Th

Th
Th

4) The machine is
Wimshurst machine

The machine may be moving the negative charges from

one globe to the other
According to our model, only negative charges move
because they are carried by light, movable electrons.
What explanations could you propose for the spark?
Which could best be an explanation for
the spark, according to our model of
charge in materials?
1) The spark is protons
that are moving to the
negatively charged
globe
2) The spark is charges
moving, causing two
neutral globes to
become oppositely
charged 0 0 0 0
3) The spark is electrons
that are attracted to

..
...

..
.
..

on

ed
s.
s
on

ge

tr
the negatively

us
ec
ot

ar

ca
el
pr

ch

is
is
charged globe
is

is

k
k
k

ar
ar
k
ar

ar

sp
sp
sp

sp

e
e
4) The spark is caused
e

Th
Th
e
Th

Th

by charges jumping
Which could best be an explanation for
the spark, according to our model of
charge in materials?
1) The spark is protons
that are moving to the
negatively charged
globe
2) The spark is charges
moving, causing two
neutral globes to
become oppositely
charged 0 0 0 0
3) The spark is electrons
that are attracted to

..
...

..
.
..

on

ed
s.
s
on

ge

tr
the negatively

us
ec
ot

ar

ca
el
pr

ch

is
is
charged globe
is

is

k
k
k

ar
ar
k
ar

ar

sp
sp
sp

sp

e
e
4) The spark is caused
e

Th
Th
e
Th

Th

by charges jumping
Wimshurst machine

A spark occurs because negative charges pushed off

one globe are attracted to the other globe
If the spark is a movement of charges
between the globes, which should be true
after the spark?
1) Both globes will have
opposite charges than
they did before the
spark
2) The separation of
charges between the
two globes will be less
3) The overall number of 0 0 0 0
negative charges in
the machine will

...

..
...

...

a.
ro
av

ch

ve
be
h

of

ha
change ill

um
w

ill
tio

ln
es

w
ra

al
ob

e
pa

ob
er
4) One globe will have a
gl

ov
se

gl
h

ne
ot

e
e

Th
Th
B

O
greater net charge
If the spark is a movement of charges
between the globes, which should be true
after the spark?
1) Both globes will have
opposite charges than
they did before the
spark
2) The separation of
charges between the
two globes will be less
3) The overall number of 0 0 0 0
negative charges in
the machine will

...

..
...

...

a.
ro
av

ch

ve
be
h

of

ha
change ill

um
w

ill
tio

ln
es

w
ra

al
ob

e
pa

ob
er
4) One globe will have a
gl

ov
se

gl
h

ne
ot

e
e

Th
Th
B

O
greater net charge
Wimshurst machine

After the spark, there is less separation of charges

between the two globes
Some of the excess negative charges have moved back
to the positively charged globe
Wimshurst machine and interactions

We will use our model of charges in materials to predict

observations in an experiment with the Wimshurst
machine

The material of a The aluminum foil

styrofoam packing covering this ball is a
peanut is an insulator conductor
Negative charges in Negative charges in a
an insulator can only conductor are free to
move a little move wherever they
are pushed or pulled
Which is true about the objects that will
be used in this experiment?
1) The charges in the
styrofoam peanut
cannot move at all
2) The foil is a conductor
so it always has a net
charge
3) The negative charges
in both objects can 0 0 0 0
move due to the
influence of external

...

..

..
...

a.
to

s
st

ge

ul
uc
e

s
ar
charges

nd
th

in
ch

e
co
in

th
e
s

tiv
a
ge

in
is

ga
4) Charges in the

s
ar

il

e
ne
ch

fo

rg
ha
e

e
e

Th

Th
Th

insulator separate into

C
Which is true about the objects that will
be used in this experiment?
1) The charges in the
styrofoam peanut
cannot move at all
2) The foil is a conductor
so it always has a net
charge
3) The negative charges
in both objects can 0 0 0 0
move due to the
influence of external

...

..

..
...

a.
to

s
st

ge

ul
uc
e

s
ar
charges

nd
th

in
ch

e
co
in

th
e
s

tiv
a
ge

in
is

ga
4) Charges in the

s
ar

il

e
ne
ch

fo

rg
ha
e

e
e

Th

Th
Th

insulator separate into

C
Induced separation of charge

Draw the charges in a styrofoam peanut suspended

between the two globes. Remember, styrofoam is an
insulator material.
What will happen to the peanut? Draw the charges
inside the peanut
What can you tell about the styrofoam
peanut from drawing the charges inside
it?
1) The peanut will be
attracted to both
globes
2) The peanut will be
attracted to one globe
and repelled from the
other
3) The peanut will be 0 0 0 0
repelled from both
globes

.
...
t ..

t ..

r..
re
at

at

pe
be
be

be

ex
4) The peanut will

ill
ill

ill

ill
w
w

w
ut
ut

ut

ut
an
experience no net
an

an
an

pe
pe

pe

pe
e
e

e
Th
Th

Th

Th
force from the two
What can you tell about the styrofoam
peanut from drawing the charges inside
it?
1) The peanut will be
attracted to both
globes
2) The peanut will be
attracted to one globe
and repelled from the
other
3) The peanut will be 0 0 0 0
repelled from both
globes

.
...
t ..

t ..

r..
re
at

at

pe
be
be

be

ex
4) The peanut will

ill
ill

ill

ill
w
w

w
ut
ut

ut

ut
an
experience no net
an

an
an

pe
pe

pe

pe
e
e

e
Th
Th

Th

Th
force from the two
Induced separation of charge

The charges inside the peanut rearrange a little. The

peanut is attracted to both globes and ends up
moving toward one of them.
What happens when it hits the globe?

attraction attraction
Induced separation of charge in an
insulator
Since charges cannot move much inside the peanut, it
remains attracted to the globe
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Draw the charges in an aluminum ball suspended
between the two globes.
What will happen to the ball?

Aluminum ball
What can you tell about the foil ball from
drawing the charges inside it?
1) The ball will be
attracted to both
globes
2) The ball will be
attracted to one globe
and repelled from the
other
3) The ball will be 0 0 0 0
repelled from both
globes

t..

t..

..
l..

n
l
c

pe

rie
tra

tra

re

pe
at
4) The ball will at

be

ex
be

be

ill

ill
ill

ill

w
w

experience no net w

ll

ll
ll

ll

ba
ba
ba

ba

e
e

Th

Th
Th

Th

force from the two

What can you tell about the foil ball from
drawing the charges inside it?
1) The ball will be
attracted to both
globes
2) The ball will be
attracted to one globe
and repelled from the
other
3) The ball will be 0 0 0 0
repelled from both
globes

t..

t..

..
l..

n
l
c

pe

rie
tra

tra

re

pe
at
4) The ball will at

be

ex
be

be

ill

ill
ill

ill

w
w

experience no net w

ll

ll
ll

ll

ba
ba
ba

ba

e
e

Th

Th
Th

Th

force from the two

Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Charges in the ball will move, the ball will be attracted
to both globes, and will move toward one of them.
What happens when it hits one of the globes?

attra
on ction
attracti
Aluminum ball
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Charges in the aluminum ball are free to move, so they
can move between the ball and the globe due to the
forces exerted upon them.
What happens to the ball now?
What happens when the foil ball touches
one of the globes?
1) The net charge on the
ball does not change
2) Charges can move
through the ball
3) There is no net force
on the charges in the
ball
4) Charges in the ball 0 0 0 0
can realign
themselves but

.
...

..

c.
.
t..

ce
th

ll
e

ba
or
on

ov

tf
cannot move much

e
m
e

ne

th
rg

n
ha

in
ca

no
tc

s
s

is

e
e

rg
ne

rg

ha
er
ha
e
Th

Th

C
C
What happens when the foil ball touches
one of the globes?
1) The net charge on the
ball does not change
2) Charges can move
through the ball
3) There is no net force
on the charges in the
ball
4) Charges in the ball 0 0 0 0
can realign
themselves but

.
...

..

c.
.
t..

ce
th

ll
e

ba
or
on

ov

tf
cannot move much

e
m
e

ne

th
rg

n
ha

in
ca

no
tc

s
s

is

e
e

rg
ne

rg

ha
er
ha
e
Th

Th

C
C
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Now the ball has the same charge as the globe, so it is
repelled from the globe.
What happens to the ball now?

p el
re
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
The ball is attracted to the other globe, which now has
the opposite charge.
What happens when it hits the other globe?
What’s the difference between the
styrofoam peanut and the foil ball in this
experiment?
1) The way both objects,
in their neutral state,
are attracted to the
globes
2) One object does not
experience an
induced separation of
charges 0 0 0 0
3) The net charge on one
of the objects does

...

...
t..

..
s,

t.
on
no
ct

no
je

on
not change in this

es
ob

es
do

do
rg
th

ct

ha
bo

ct
experiment je

tc

je
ob
ay

ob
ne
w

ne

ne
e

e
O
Th

Th
4) One object does not
O
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Charges are free to move in the conductor, so they
move into the ball due to the forces acting on them
Induced separation of charge in a
conductor
Now the ball has the same charge as the globe, so it is
repelled from the globe.
The charged ball is now attracted to the opposite globe
and the cycle continues.
When will the ball stop bouncing back and
forth between the two globes?
1) It will not stop, it will
keep moving back and
forth indefinitely
2) It will keep moving
until all the extra
charge on one globe
is transferred back to
the other 0 0 0 0
3) It will stop when all
the charges in the ball

t ..

...
..
...

un

h.

to
ill

lt
g

e
tw

al

th
in
are gone

ov
,i

n
he

he
p

m
to

w
ep
ts

op

op
ke
4) It will stop when the
no

st

st
ill
ill

ill

ill
w
w

w
It

total number of
It

It

It
Observe and explain

A soda can is mounted horizontally. At one end is a

Wimshurst machine, at the other end a disk covered in
foil hangs from a string, resting against the end of the
can
Part 1: Describe
what you observe
in this experiment
Observe and explain
Sample observation:
"A foil disk hangs from a string, resting against a soda
can. A Wimshurst machine is cranked, and one globe
of the machine is touched to the soda can. The
hanging disk is repelled away from the can."

Part 2: Explain what

happened using your
knowledge of charges
and materials
Observe and explain
Sample observation:
"A foil disk hangs from a string, resting against a soda
can. A Wimshurst machine is cranked, and one globe
of the machine is touched to the soda can. The
hanging disk is repelled away from the can."

Part 2: Explain what

happened using your
knowledge of charges
and materials
Observe and explain
Sample explanation:

Charges are
balanced and
evenly distributed in
the neutral can and
disk
The charged globe
creates a net charge
on the can.
Charges move through
the conductor and
create the same net
charge on the disk
The disk is repelled
Represent and reason

A different type of electroscope has a metal disk on top,

connected to a metal bar with a central indicator
that can swivel as shown.
Show how this electroscope would react if a negatively
charged object was brought near without touching
Represent and reason

Negative charges in the electroscope are repelled by

the negative charges in the other object. The lower
parts of the scope have a net negative charge and the
indicator is repelled away from the bar