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Separate Physics · Paper 1 · Foundation + Higher · P2

Static electricity: transferring electrons

Key ideas1 of 3

Charge moves between materials

When certain insulating materials are rubbed together, electrons transfer from one surface to the other. Electrons have negative charge. The material gaining electrons becomes negatively charged; the material losing electrons becomes positively charged. The positive charge does not mean that extra protons have arrived. Protons remain in atomic nuclei, while the transferred particles in this charging process are electrons.

Initially neutral objects P and Q with an arrow and three electron symbols between them.

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Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher · P2. Use alongside the shared P2 lessons.

AQA GCSE Physics 8463 · 4.2.5.1. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.