NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

mcqeasy

In the term 'static electricity', what does the word 'static' signify regarding the electric charges?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe charges are generated only by induction.
BThe charges are extremely high in magnitude.
CThe charges do not flow or move on their own.
DThe charges are neutralized immediately.

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

The charges do not flow or move on their own.

Explanation

Electrostatics, commonly referred to as static electricity, is the study of electromagnetic phenomena that occur when there are no moving charges. The fundamental distinction between static electricity and current electricity lies in the motion of the charge carriers.

Option Analysis

The charges are extremely high in magnitude. is incorrect: The term 'static' describes the state of motion of the charges, not their quantity or magnitude. Static charges can exist in both small and large magnitudes.
The charges do not flow or move on their own. is correct: The word 'static' signifies 'stationary' or 'at rest'. In static electricity, electric charges build up on the surface of a material (usually an insulator) and remain there without flowing. This contrasts with current electricity, where charges flow continuously through a conductor.
The charges are neutralized immediately. is incorrect: While static charges eventually neutralize through discharge (e.g., a spark), the term 'static' refers to the period during which the charges are held in place on the object's surface.
The charges are generated only by induction. is incorrect: Static electricity is not generated solely by induction. It is most commonly generated by friction (triboelectric effect) and can also be produced via conduction.

Key Takeaway:

Static electricity refers specifically to electric charges that are at rest (stationary) on an object, as opposed to dynamic charges that flow as an electric current.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

With reference to the history of understanding electrical charges, consider the following statements: 1. The ancient Greeks knew that amber attracts light objects like hair when rubbed with fur. 2. Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning and sparks from clothes are two completely different phenomena. 3. The realization of the similarity between lightning and sparks from clothes took approximately two thousand years to occur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the charging of objects by rubbing: 1. A plastic refill does not acquire any electric charge when rubbed with polythene. 2. When a plastic comb is rubbed with dry hair, both the comb and the hair get charged. 3. The electrical charges generated by rubbing are static in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the interaction between charged objects, consider the following statements: 1. A charged balloon repels another charged balloon. 2. A charged refill repels a charged balloon. 3. A charged refill attracts another charged refill. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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By convention, what is the nature of the electric charge acquired by a glass rod when it is rubbed with silk?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the nature of electric charges: 1. Charges of the same kind repel each other. 2. Charges of different kinds repel each other. 3. A charged glass rod attracts a charged plastic straw rubbed with polythene. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is

The charges do not flow or move on their own.

Explanation

Option Analysis

The charges are extremely high in magnitude. is incorrect: The term 'static' describes the state of motion of the charges, not their quantity or magnitude. Static charges can exist in both small and large magnitudes.
The charges do not flow or move on their own. is correct: The word 'static' signifies 'stationary' or 'at rest'. In static electricity, electric charges build up on the surface of a material (usually an insulator) and remain there without flowing. This contrasts with current electricity, where charges flow continuously through a conductor.
The charges are neutralized immediately. is incorrect: While static charges eventually neutralize through discharge (e.g., a spark), the term 'static' refers to the period during which the charges are held in place on the object's surface.
The charges are generated only by induction. is incorrect: Static electricity is not generated solely by induction. It is most commonly generated by friction (triboelectric effect) and can also be produced via conduction.

Key Takeaway:

Static electricity refers specifically to electric charges that are at rest (stationary) on an object, as opposed to dynamic charges that flow as an electric current.