1. When was the discovery of electric phenomena made? 2. What is the definition of a force of attraction? 3. What types

1. The discovery of electric phenomena can be traced back to ancient times. However, the formal recognition of electric phenomena and the scientific understanding of electricity began in the 17th and 18th centuries through the work of several notable scientists.

The first significant milestone in the discovery of electric phenomena was made by the ancient Greeks, specifically by Thales of Miletus in around 600 BC. He observed that rubbing amber (a fossilized tree resin) with a cloth could attract lightweight objects like feathers. This was the first known instance of static electricity.

In the 17th century, the English scientist William Gilbert conducted extensive experiments and observations on electricity. In 1600, he published a scientific treatise called «De Magnete» (On the Magnet), where he coined the term «electricus» to describe the attractive properties of amber and other similar materials. Gilbert’s work laid the foundation for further scientific investigations into electricity.

The discoveries made by Gilbert were later expanded upon by several scientists in the 18th century. Benjamin Franklin, an American scientist, conducted experiments with electrified objects, including flying a kite during a thunderstorm in 1752, which demonstrated the connection between lightning and electricity.

In 1785, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, a French physicist, formulated Coulomb’s law, which describes the force of attraction or repulsion between electrically charged objects. This law played a crucial role in the development of electrostatics, providing a quantitative understanding of electric forces.

Overall, the discovery of electric phenomena was a gradual process that involved contributions from multiple scientists over centuries, leading to the development of a deeper understanding of electricity.

2. A force of attraction is a term used to describe the effect that causes objects to be drawn closer to one another. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is related to the interaction between objects that have mass or charge.

In the context of electric phenomena, the force of attraction specifically refers to the attractive force between objects that have electric charges. This force arises due to the interaction between positively and negatively charged particles.

According to Coulomb’s law, the force of attraction between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In simpler terms, it means that the closer two charged objects are and the larger their charges, the stronger the force of attraction between them.

This force of attraction between charged objects is responsible for various phenomena, such as the attraction of a balloon to a person’s hair after rubbing, or the attraction between opposite ends of a magnet.

3. There are two primary types of electricity: static electricity and current electricity.

— Static electricity: Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object. It occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges between two objects. The charge can be positive or negative, depending on the presence of excess or deficit electrons, respectively. Static electricity is typically accumulated through friction, such as rubbing two materials together. Examples of static electricity include lightning, static shocks, and the sticking of objects to a charged surface.

— Current electricity: Current electricity refers to the continuous flow of electric charges, typically through a conductor. It occurs when there is a closed circuit that allows charges to move from one point to another. The flow of charges is known as an electric current. Current electricity is the type of electricity commonly used in our everyday lives, powering various devices and systems. Examples of current electricity include the electrical energy supplied to homes and the operation of electronic devices, such as computers, televisions, and lights.

Understanding the different types of electricity is important as it helps explain various phenomena and enables us to harness the power of electricity for practical purposes. Both static electricity and current electricity have their unique properties and applications in different fields of science and technology.