Class 12 Physics - What is Electrostatic and it's Application
1.1 Introduction : Electric charge / Electrostatic
1. The experience of seeing a spark or hearing a crackle when we took off our synthetic clothes or sweater particularly in dry weather.
2. The lightening that we see in the sky during thunderstorm.
3. Sensation of an electric shock either while opening the door of a car or holding the iron bar of a bus after sliding from our seat.
Electricity :
The name electricity is coined from the Greek word elektron meaning amber.
Many such pairs of materials were known which on rubbing could attract light object like straw , pith balls and bits of papers.
The amber getting the property of attracting bits of paper and dust particles. This property of attraction is said "Electrified".
Electrification is defined as the transfer of electrons from one body to another when they are rubbed with each other.
Electrostatic :
The branch of Physics which deal with the study of electric force electric field electric potential and electric energy due to charge at rest is known as electrostatics.
Statics means anything that does not move or change with time.
Application of Electrostatics :
- A photocopier.
- Electric capacitors.
- Vande Graff Generator.
- Power Factor corrector.
- Electrostatic precipitators.
- Spray painting and power coating.
- Lightening and thunders.
- Electrostatic shielding.
- Atomic structure.
- Electrostatic generators can produce voltages as high as 10^6 volts. Such high voltages are required for X-Ray work and nuclear bombardment.