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Electrostatics
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| atom | the basic unit of matter |
| subatomic particles | the three particles that make up an atom |
| protons | positively charged subatomic particle in the nucleus; give the atom its identity |
| neutrons | subatomic particle with no charge in the nucleus |
| electrons | negatively charged subatomic particle that circulates around the outside of the nucleus; ones that move during charge motion |
| valence electrons | electrons in the outermost shell |
| strong force | the force that holds the nucleus together |
| conductors | materials that allow charges to flow easily |
| insulators | materials that do not allow charges to flow easily |
| semiconductors | materials that have characteristics of both conductors and insulators |
| superconductors | materials that will conduct electricity below a certain temperature with zero resistance |
| conduction | when charges transfer between two objects due to direct contact |
| induction | when charges move because of the proximity of another charged object |
| friction | when charges transfer between objects due to rubbing two materials together |