Physics · KS3 and GCSE · Interactive lesson
Static electricity: charge, electrons and fields
Track electron transfer, predict attraction or repulsion and explore the field around a charge. Start with charge signs before the GCSE field model.
Choose your view
Explore an interactive example, then try the questions at your own pace.
KS3 / GCSE · start with the idea
By the end of this lesson: Explain how transferring electrons leaves two objects charged.
The interactive diagram and controls are in Stage 2, “Explore one example”. Read the idea here, then try it next.
- Matter contains positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons.
- In these examples, electrons can move between objects; protons stay in their materials.
- Gaining electrons makes an object negative. Losing electrons leaves it positive.
Useful starting points
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What do the words mean?
- Electron
- A particle with negative electric charge.
- Proton
- A particle with positive electric charge in an atomic nucleus.
- Neutral
- Equal amounts of positive and negative charge overall. Neutral does not mean no charges exist.
- Electric field
- A region where an electric charge experiences a force.
Change the example
This is the lesson example. Your practice question uses its own numbers.
Something to try
Start at zero transferred electrons. Move one or two. Which object gains negative charge, and what happens to the total?
Notice what changes
How particle motion works +
Starts paused. Press Play, then add energy to see the warmer particles move faster.
Particles keep the same size. Liquid particles move around; solid particles vibrate around fixed positions. This is a simplified model, with the change in motion exaggerated to make it easier to see.
About the playback +
About this model
A charge-counting model of two isolated objects, not two atoms. Counts use units of elementary charge, not coulombs. Positive charges stay in their materials; only electrons transfer. The objects are initially neutral, and total charge stays zero.
More about this diagram
Still picture. Play particle motion in Stage 2.
A is positive; B is negative.
Still picture of the example from Stage 2. Use the back arrow to change it.
Work through it
Starting example: read the steps below
- Both objects begin with equal positive and negative charge.
- Move 2 electrons from A to B.
- The object losing electrons is positive. The object gaining them is negative.
- Total charge is conserved: 2 + (-2) = 0 units of elementary charge.
Try on your own
Your turn. No rush.
Question 1
An initially neutral object gains electrons. What charge does it have overall?
About these questions
Questions appear in a mixed order. Work at your own pace and stop whenever you like.
These questions use their own numbers, separate from the lesson example. You can stop whenever you like. Answers last for this visit to the page.
A good place to pause
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Can you explain the charge using electrons, then predict attraction or repulsion?
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Notes for parents and tutors
These lessons cover selected KS3 and GCSE ideas for England; they are not a complete course. The level notes explain where GCSE methods or optional extensions begin. Maurice can help you choose material for your course and exam board.
The content draws on the DfE Maths curriculum, DfE Science curriculum and AQA GCSE Physics specification. Level labels are guidance, not exam-board endorsements. For AQA Radioactivity, calculating net decline as a ratio is Higher-tier work. Net means the overall change; ask Maurice whether this extension is relevant to your course. Explanations and practice were reviewed during development on 21 October 2026; Maurice should check their fit before assigning work.
Topic labels and your lesson-view preference are saved in this browser. This tab also remembers the last lesson stage, so you can choose to continue there. If you choose revision, selected activities and suggested revisit dates are saved here too. Recent question codes are also kept to reduce repeats. Reflection notes are saved automatically per topic when you type them; you can delete a note in the recap. They stay in this browser and are visible to other people using it. Practice answers and enquiry details are not saved. Clearing browser data removes the labels.