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Grade 6 · Science · Unit 3 of 9

Static Electricity

Charges that attract and repel

What your child practises

How rubbing moves electrons, why like charges repel and opposite charges attract, static sparks and lightning, and how static differs from current electricity.

Saskatchewan Curriculum outcome: EL6.2 · static electric charges, conductors and insulators

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    A plastic comb rubbed on wool picks up small bits of paper. Why?

    • The paper is heavy
    • The charged comb attracts the neutral paper
    • The comb is magnetic
    Show answer

    The charged comb attracts the neutral paper

    Hint: A charged object can attract a neutral object.

  2. Question 2

    Which tiny particles move when objects become charged by rubbing?

    • Atoms of gas
    • Electrons
    • Protons
    Show answer

    Electrons

    Hint: Electrons are the charged particles that can move from one material to another.

  3. Question 3

    What happens when a negatively charged object is brought near a positively charged one?

    • They both become neutral without moving
    • They repel each other
    • They attract each other
    Show answer

    They attract each other

    Hint: Opposite charges attract.

  4. Question 4

    What happens when two objects with the same type of charge are brought close together?

    • They repel each other
    • Nothing ever happens
    • They attract each other
    Show answer

    They repel each other

    Hint: Like charges repel.

  5. Question 5

    How is lightning related to static electricity?

    • It is not electrical
    • It is a huge static discharge between clouds and the ground
    • It is a current flowing in a circuit
    Show answer

    It is a huge static discharge between clouds and the ground

    Hint: Charge builds up in clouds and then jumps.

  6. Question 6

    What is the main difference between current electricity and static electricity?

    • Current electricity is not made of electrons
    • Current electricity flows continuously, but static charge stays in one place until discharged
    • Static electricity is stronger
    Show answer

    Current electricity flows continuously, but static charge stays in one place until discharged

    Hint: Current needs a complete path to flow.

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