Amber
Definition
Amber is fossilized tree resin that has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. It is significant in physics because it was one of the first materials known to exhibit electrostatic properties when rubbed.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Amber becomes electrically charged when rubbed with materials like wool or silk, demonstrating static electricity.
- The term 'electricity' derives from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning amber.
- Early experiments with amber laid foundational understanding for the behavior of electric charges.
- When rubbed, amber can attract small objects such as paper pieces due to its acquired static charge.
- Amber demonstrates that some materials can hold an electric charge temporarily after being subjected to friction.
Review Questions
- What happens when amber is rubbed with wool or silk?
- Why is amber historically significant in the study of electricity?
- What types of objects can be attracted by charged amber?
"Amber" appears in:
Related terms
Static Electricity: An imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material.
Triboelectric Effect: The phenomenon where certain materials become electrically charged after they come into frictional contact with a different material.
Electroscope: A device used to detect the presence and magnitude of electric charge on a body.
