What is Static Electricity?
Static Electricity :
In the preceding chapters, we concerned ourselves exclusively with electric current i.e. electricity in motion. Now, we will discuss the behaviour of static electricity and the laws governing it. In fact, electrostatics is that branch of science which deals with the phenomena associated with electricity at rest.
It has been already discussed that generally an atom is electrically neutral i.e. in a normal atom the aggregate of positive charge of protons is exactly equal to the aggregate of negative charge of the electrons.
If, somehow, some electrons are removed from the atoms of a body, then it is left with a preponderance of positive charge. It is then said to be positively-charged. If, on the other hand, some electrons are added to it, negative charge out-balances the positive charge and the body is said to be negatively charged.
In brief, we can say that positive electrification of a body results from a deficiency of the electrons whereas negative electrification results from an excess of electrons.
The total deficiency or excess of electrons in a body is known as its charge.
What is Static Electricity? OR What is Electrostatics?
Electrostatics, the study of electromagnetic phenomena that occur when there are no moving charges—i.e., after a static equilibrium has been established. Charges reach their equilibrium positions rapidly, because the electric force is extremely strong. The mathematical methods of electrostatics make it possible to calculate the distributions of the electric field and of the electric potential from a known configuration of charges, conductors, and insulators. Conversely, given a set of conductors with known potentials, it is possible to calculate electric fields in regions between the conductors and to determine the charge distribution on the surface of the conductors. The electric energy of a set of charges at rest can be viewed from the standpoint of the work required to assemble the charges; alternatively, the energy also can be considered to reside in the electric field produced by this assembly of charges. Finally, energy can be stored in a capacitor; the energy required to charge such a device is stored in it as electrostatic energy of the electric field.
Read article – Constant Voltage Source
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