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GCSE level Physics exam revision notes: Types of
energy store
Electrostatic energy store defined and examples explained
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ENERGY INDEX: Types of
energy & energy stores, energy transfers & selected energy
calculations
(c) Electrical energy transfer and electrostatic energy stores
This page will help you answer questions
such as ... What is electrical energy? Can you store electrical energy? Quote some sources of electrical energy
Index of types of
energy stores/transfers
 Electrical energy
and electrostatic energy stores
-
Electrical energy is usually the flow of
electrical charge in the form of negative electrons.
-
BUT, the
flow of electrical charge is NOT an energy store itself, but a very
important means of transferring energy.
-
When an electrical current flows
('electricity'), the electrons carry the energy from a higher
potential energy to a lower potential energy - measured as the
potential difference in volts.
-
A battery is a source of
electrical energy
but it is initially a store of chemical energy.
-
You can of course convert
electrical energy to another energy store e.g. charging a battery to
increase its chemical potential energy store.
-
Electrical energy can be converted into light
with bulbs, thermal energy in heaters, or kinetic
energy in electric motors.
-
Electrical energy can be stored
as static electricity
-
Electrostatic electrical energy
is a form potential energy store of an electrostatic field
-electrostatic potential energy.
-
This is
where electrical charge cannot move until the
'charged' material is placed in contact with an electrical
conductor.
-
With electrostatic energy you are
dealing with:
-
repulsion of like charges (+ <=> +
or - <=>
-) ,
-
and the attraction of unlike charges (+ =><= -).
-
Any attraction or repulsion
movement of charged objects involves a force acting through a
distance, so work is done and energy is transferred.
 |
 |
-
When you rub a plastic rod with a
cloth (diagram above) you
create an electrostatic field energy store on the surface
of the rubbed material.
-
The rod can pick up tiny bits of
paper - energy transferred - so
work is
done from the electrostatic energy store.
-
Lots more examples described below.
For more see
Static electricity and electric fields, uses
and dangers of static electricity
and
The usefulness of electricity, power and
the cost of using electricity calculations
Key points for Physics -
electrostatic energy store
conversions - energy transfers involving static electricity and subsequent
discharging as an electrical current in many cases
Information
sources for Doc Brown's key points: IGCSE-GCSE physics are based on textbooks
& syllabus-specifications for students taking the UK AQA,
Edexcel, OCR 21st Century Science, OCR Gateway science suite, WJEC, CCEA &
CIE GCSE
physics 9-1 level science examinations.
A syllabus-aligned
summary of Static Electricity and Electrostatic Energy
Stores, tailored for GCSE/IGCSE Physics students
across WJEC, CCEA, CIE, AQA, Edexcel, and OCR exam
boards:
For more see
Static electricity and electric fields, uses
and dangers of static electricity
Electrostatic Energy Store
- Definition:
Energy stored due to the position of electric charges
in an electric field.
- It’s a potential energy store—similar
to gravitational or elastic potential energy.
- The energy is stored when
charges are separated and can be released when they move (e.g.
in a spark).
Real-World Examples of Static Electricity
| Example |
Description |
| Balloon & hair |
Rubbing transfers electrons →
balloon sticks to wall due to attraction |
| Lightning |
Charge builds up in clouds →
sudden discharge to Earth |
| Photocopiers & printers |
Use static charge to attract toner
to paper |
| Comb & paper |
Charged comb attracts neutral
paper bits |
| Fuel pipes |
Charge builds up → spark risk →
earthed to prevent explosions |
Energy Transfers Involving Electrostatic
Stores
| Scenario |
Energy Transfer Pathway |
| Balloon rubbed on jumper |
Kinetic (rubbing) → Electrostatic |
| Lightning strike |
Electrostatic → Thermal + Light +
Sound |
| Photocopier operation |
Electrical → Electrostatic →
Kinetic + Thermal |
| Electric shock from door |
Electrostatic → Kinetic + Thermal
(spark) |
Exam Tips for All Boards
Use correct terminology:
- Say “electrons are transferred” not
“charge is transferred.”
- Refer to electrostatic energy
store, not “static electricity energy.”
Understand electric fields:
- Field lines go away from
positive and towards negative.
- The closer the lines,
the stronger the field.
Explain sparking:
- Caused by large potential
difference between charged object and Earth.
- Air becomes ionised → current
flows → spark.
Know uses and dangers:
- Uses:
spray painting, photocopiers, air purifiers.
- Dangers:
fuelling aircraft, lightning, electronics damage.
Practice with diagrams:
- Draw field lines,
charge distribution, and energy transfer arrows.
Extra examples of static electricity
Static electricity might seem like a
science-lab-only phenomenon, but it’s actually buzzing all around us in
everyday life. Here are some real-world examples that
students can easily relate to - and might even find a little shocking!
Clothing and Fabrics
- Taking off a jumper:
Especially in dry weather, you might hear crackling or see tiny
sparks—caused by electrons jumping between your clothes and your body.
- Nylon or wool garments:
Rubbing against your skin or other fabrics builds up charge, making
clothes cling or hair stand up.
Personal Grooming
- Combing your hair:
The comb can become charged and attract strands of hair or even small
bits of paper.
- Hat hair:
Removing a woolly hat can leave your hair standing on end due to charge
transfer.
Electronics and Screens
- TV or computer screens:
Attract dust because of the static charge they build up, especially
older CRT monitors.
- Touching a screen:
You might feel a slight zap if you’ve built up charge walking on carpet.
Household Surprises
- Metal doorknobs:
After walking on carpet, touching a metal object can cause a small
electric shock.
- Plastic furniture:
Sliding off a plastic chair can build up charge, especially in dry
environments.
Fun and Friction
- Rubbing a balloon on your hair:
Makes it stick to walls or attract small objects like paper bits.
- Party tricks:
Balloons can be used to demonstrate attraction and repulsion of charges.
Technology in Action
- Photocopiers and laser
printers: Use static
electricity to attract toner particles to paper in precise patterns.
- Air purifiers:
Some use electrostatic filters to trap dust and allergens.
Natural Phenomena
- Lightning:
The ultimate static discharge—caused by charge separation in storm
clouds.
- Dust storms or volcanic
eruptions: Can generate
large amounts of static charge due to particle collisions.
Keywords, phrases and learning objectives
on electrical energy and
electrostatic energy stores
Know that energy can be carried by charged particles - that can deliver
electrical energy to be converted to another energy store e.g.
kinetic energy or thermal (heat) energy.
Know and be able to describe and explain examples of electrostatic energy stores
(static electricity).
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