1. What causes static electricity?
a) Movement of electrons from one object to another
b) Movement of protons
c) Movement of neutrons
d) Movement of atoms
Answer: a) Movement of electrons from one object to another
Explanation: Static electricity arises when electrons are transferred from one object to another, creating an imbalance of charge.
2. Which of the following materials is a good conductor of electricity?
a) Rubber
b) Glass
c) Copper
d) Plastic
Answer: c) Copper
Explanation: Copper is a good conductor as it allows electrons to move freely, unlike insulators such as rubber and glass.
3. What type of charge is carried by an electron?
a) Positive
b) Neutral
c) Negative
d) Variable
Answer: c) Negative
Explanation: Electrons carry a negative charge.
4. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk, the glass rod becomes…
a) Positively charged
b) Negatively charged
c) Neutral
d) Both positive and negative
Answer: a) Positively charged
Explanation: Electrons are transferred from the glass rod to the silk, leaving the glass rod positively charged.
5. Which law states that like charges repel and unlike charges attract?
a) Ohm’s Law
b) Coulomb’s Law
c) Newton’s Third Law
d) Faraday’s Law
Answer: b) Coulomb’s Law
Explanation: Coulomb’s law describes the forces between two charged objects.
6. What device is used to detect static electricity?
a) Voltmeter
b) Ammeter
c) Electroscope
d) Galvanometer
Answer: c) Electroscope
Explanation: An electroscope detects the presence of electric charge on an object.
7. The unit of electric charge is…
a) Volt
b) Ampere
c) Coulomb
d) Ohm
Answer: c) Coulomb
Explanation: The unit of electric charge is Coulomb (C).
8. What happens when a charged object is brought near a neutral conductor?
a) No effect
b) Induces opposite charge on near side and like charge on far side
c) The conductor becomes charged same as the object
d) The conductor loses all charges
Answer: b) Induces opposite charge on near side and like charge on far side
Explanation: Charges in the conductor rearrange (induction) in response to the nearby charged object.
9. Which of the following is an insulator?
a) Aluminum
b) Wood
c) Iron
d) Copper
Answer: b) Wood
Explanation: Wood does not allow free movement of charges; hence, it is an insulator.
10. The phenomenon of transferring charge by rubbing two objects is called…
a) Conduction
b) Induction
c) Friction
d) Radiation
Answer: c) Friction
Explanation: Rubbing transfers electrons by frictional contact.
11. What is the charge on an object that has gained electrons?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Answer: b) Negative
Explanation: Gaining electrons adds negative charges.
12. Which of the following can be used to remove static charges from objects?
a) Rubber gloves
b) Grounding
c) Plastic sheets
d) Insulating gloves
Answer: b) Grounding
Explanation: Grounding allows excess charge to flow away to the earth, neutralizing the object.
13. Which one of the following is not a method of charging?
a) Charging by friction
b) Charging by conduction
c) Charging by induction
d) Charging by magnetization
Answer: d) Charging by magnetization
Explanation: Magnetization is unrelated to electric charge.
14. When a charged rod is brought near small pieces of paper, the papers are attracted because…
a) The rod shares electrons with paper
b) The paper gets charged same as the rod
c) Induced charges in paper cause attraction
d) The paper becomes neutral
Answer: c) Induced charges in paper cause attraction
Explanation: The charged rod induces opposite charges on the paper surface, attracting it.
15. The charge on one electron is approximately…
a) 
C (positive)
b) C (negative)
c) 
C (negative)
d) C (positive)
Answer: b) C (negative)
Explanation: The electron carries a fundamental negative charge of about 
coulombs.
16. Which one of the following is true about electric field lines?
a) They start from negative and end on positive charges
b) They start from positive and end on negative charges
c) They never cross each other
d) Both b and c
Answer: d) Both b and c
Explanation: Electric field lines start from positive charges and end on negative charges and never cross.
17. The force between two charges is directly proportional to…
a) The product of their charges
b) The square of the distance between them
c) The difference in their charges
d) None of the above
Answer: a) The product of their charges
Explanation: According to Coulomb’s law, force is proportional to the product of the magnitudes of charges.
18. A positively charged rod is brought near an electroscope. What happens?
a) Leaves of electroscope diverge
b) Leaves of electroscope collapse
c) No change
d) Electroscope becomes neutral
Answer: a) Leaves of electroscope diverge
Explanation: Charge is induced causing leaves to repel each other.
19. Which material becomes negatively charged when rubbed with fur?
a) Glass
b) Rubber
c) Silk
d) Plastic
Answer: b) Rubber
Explanation: Rubber gains electrons from fur and becomes negatively charged.
20. What is the effect of humidity on static electricity?
a) Increases static electricity
b) Decreases static electricity
c) No effect
d) Makes static electricity permanent
Answer: b) Decreases static electricity
Explanation: Moist air allows charges to leak away, reducing static buildup.
21. What happens when two objects with opposite charges are brought close together?
a) They repel each other
b) They attract each other
c) No force acts between them
d) They become neutral immediately
Answer: b) They attract each other
Explanation: Opposite charges attract due to electrostatic forces.
22. Which of the following is a characteristic of conductors?
a) They do not allow electrons to move freely
b) They allow electrons to move freely
c) They always become positively charged
d) They are poor conductors of heat
Answer: b) They allow electrons to move freely
Explanation: Conductors allow free movement of electrons, enabling charge flow.
23. The device that can measure very small electric charges is called a…
a) Electroscope
b) Electrometer
c) Voltmeter
d) Ammeter
Answer: b) Electrometer
Explanation: An electrometer measures small electric charges and potential differences.
24. When a charged object is touched to a conductor connected to the ground, the process is called…
a) Charging by friction
b) Charging by induction
c) Grounding
d) Charging by conduction
Answer: c) Grounding
Explanation: Grounding allows excess charges to flow into or from the earth, neutralizing the object.
25. Which type of material can hold charge for a long time?
a) Conductor
b) Semiconductor
c) Insulator
d) Metal
Answer: c) Insulator
Explanation: Insulators do not allow charges to flow freely, so they hold static charge longer.
26. Which of the following is NOT true about static electricity?
a) It involves stationary charges
b) It can cause sparks
c) It only occurs in conductors
d) It can attract lightweight objects
Answer: c) It only occurs in conductors
Explanation: Static electricity mostly occurs in insulators where charge remains localized.
27. The electrostatic force between two charges is inversely proportional to…
a) The distance between them
b) The square of the distance between them
c) The product of the charges
d) None of the above
Answer: b) The square of the distance between them
Explanation: Coulomb’s law states force varies as 
, where r is the distance between charges.
28. What happens to the leaves of an electroscope when a negatively charged rod is brought near its metal cap?
a) The leaves collapse
b) The leaves diverge
c) No change
d) The electroscope becomes neutral
Answer: b) The leaves diverge
Explanation: Charges redistribute and like charges repel causing leaves to diverge.
29. If an object loses electrons, it becomes…
a) Positively charged
b) Negatively charged
c) Neutral
d) Electrically neutral
Answer: a) Positively charged
Explanation: Loss of electrons leaves excess positive charge.
30. Which among the following is the best example of charging by induction?
a) Charging a comb by rubbing with dry cloth
b) Charging a metal sphere by bringing a charged rod near it without touching
c) Charging a rod by friction
d) Charging a metal by contact
Answer: b) Charging a metal sphere by bringing a charged rod near it without touching
Explanation: Induction is charging without contact, by influence of nearby charges.
31. What is the charge on a proton?
a) Negative
b) Positive
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Answer: b) Positive
Explanation: Protons carry a positive electric charge.
32. What type of charge does a plastic rod gain when rubbed with wool?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Depends on the wool
Answer: b) Negative
Explanation: Plastic gains electrons from wool and becomes negatively charged.
33. When an ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, the rod becomes…
a) Positively charged
b) Negatively charged
c) Neutral
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Negatively charged
Explanation: Ebonite gains electrons from fur, becoming negatively charged.
34. The unit of electric force in the SI system is…
a) Newton
b) Coulomb
c) Volt
d) Ampere
Answer: a) Newton
Explanation: Force is measured in Newtons; electric force is no exception.
35. Which scientist formulated the law of electrostatic force?
a) Ohm
b) Coulomb
c) Faraday
d) Newton
Answer: b) Coulomb
Explanation: Charles-Augustin de Coulomb formulated Coulomb’s Law.
36. What is the effect called when a charged object causes charges to move in a nearby conductor without touching it?
a) Friction
b) Induction
c) Conduction
d) Polarization
Answer: b) Induction
Explanation: Induction is the redistribution of charges in a conductor due to nearby charges.
37. Which material will gain electrons when rubbed with silk?
a) Glass
b) Rubber
c) Wood
d) Aluminum
Answer: b) Rubber
Explanation: Rubber typically gains electrons when rubbed with silk.
38. Why does static electricity mostly occur in dry weather?
a) Moisture conducts charges away
b) Dry air increases conduction
c) Humidity generates charges
d) Static electricity is unrelated to weather
Answer: a) Moisture conducts charges away
Explanation: Water vapor in humid air helps dissipate charges, reducing static buildup.
39. How can you prevent static electricity buildup on electronic devices?
a) Use plastic covers
b) Keep them dry
c) Use anti-static wristbands or mats
d) Use rubber gloves
Answer: c) Use anti-static wristbands or mats
Explanation: Anti-static devices provide a path to ground charges, preventing buildup.
40. What is the main cause of lightning?
a) Movement of electrons in clouds creating static charge
b) Rubbing of air molecules
c) Heat from the sun
d) Magnetism in the atmosphere
Answer: a) Movement of electrons in clouds creating static charge
Explanation: Lightning is a discharge of static electricity accumulated in clouds.
41. When a charged object is touched to a neutral conductor, what happens?
a) The conductor becomes charged
b) Nothing happens
c) The conductor becomes neutral
d) The charge disappears
Answer: a) The conductor becomes charged
Explanation: Charges transfer from the charged object to the conductor, making it charged.
42. Which phenomenon explains why a charged balloon sticks to a wall?
a) Conduction
b) Induction
c) Friction
d) Radiation
Answer: b) Induction
Explanation: The charged balloon induces opposite charges on the wall surface, causing attraction.
43. What happens to static charges on a conductor if it is connected to the earth?
a) They increase
b) They decrease to zero
c) They stay the same
d) They reverse
Answer: b) They decrease to zero
Explanation: Grounding allows charges to flow to the earth, neutralizing the conductor.
44. Which of the following materials is used for making the rod in a Van de Graaff generator?
a) Rubber
b) Plastic
c) Metal
d) Glass
Answer: b) Plastic
Explanation: Plastic rods are commonly used for transferring charge in Van de Graaff generators due to their insulating properties.
45. Which force keeps electrons bound to the nucleus of an atom?
a) Gravitational force
b) Magnetic force
c) Electrostatic force
d) Nuclear force
Answer: c) Electrostatic force
Explanation: The electrostatic attraction between negatively charged electrons and positively charged nucleus keeps electrons bound.
46. In electrostatics, what is meant by ‘polarization’?
a) Charging by rubbing
b) Redistribution of charges within an insulator
c) Charging by contact
d) Flow of charges in a conductor
Answer: b) Redistribution of charges within an insulator
Explanation: Polarization occurs when charges in an insulator shift slightly, creating dipoles.
47. When an object is negatively charged, it has…
a) More electrons than protons
b) More protons than electrons
c) Equal number of protons and electrons
d) No charge
Answer: a) More electrons than protons
Explanation: Negative charge indicates excess electrons.
48. What is the principle behind the operation of an electroscope?
a) Magnetic induction
b) Electrostatic repulsion
c) Electromagnetic induction
d) Conduction of heat
Answer: b) Electrostatic repulsion
Explanation: The leaves of an electroscope diverge due to repulsion between like charges.
49. Which method can be used to charge an isolated conductor without direct contact?
a) Charging by friction
b) Charging by conduction
c) Charging by induction
d) Charging by radiation
Answer: c) Charging by induction
Explanation: Induction charges a conductor without direct contact, by influence of a nearby charged object.
50. What is the direction of electric field lines?
a) From negative to positive charge
b) From positive to negative charge
c) Circular around the charge
d) Random
Answer: b) From positive to negative charge
Explanation: Electric field lines originate on positive charges and terminate on negative charges.
51. What charge does a glass rod acquire when rubbed with wool?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) No charge
Answer: a) Positive
Explanation: Glass loses electrons to wool and becomes positively charged.
52. The electrostatic force is a…
a) Gravitational force
b) Contact force
c) Non-contact force
d) Magnetic force
Answer: c) Non-contact force
Explanation: Electrostatic force acts at a distance without physical contact.
53. The SI unit of electric field strength is…
a) Volt per meter (V/m)
b) Coulomb (C)
c) Newton (N)
d) Ampere (A)
Answer: a) Volt per meter (V/m)
Explanation: Electric field strength is measured in volts per meter.
54. What is the effect of an electric field on a neutral object?
a) No effect
b) The object becomes charged
c) The object polarizes, with separated charges
d) The object moves away from the field
Answer: c) The object polarizes, with separated charges
Explanation: Neutral objects can become polarized in an electric field, causing attraction.
55. What happens if two charged bodies are connected by a conductor?
a) Charges remain constant on each body
b) Charges redistribute between the bodies
c) Charges disappear
d) Charges double
Answer: b) Charges redistribute between the bodies
Explanation: Charges flow through the conductor until both bodies reach the same potential.
56. The basic cause of all electrostatic phenomena is…
a) Movement of protons
b) Movement of electrons
c) Movement of neutrons
d) Magnetic fields
Answer: b) Movement of electrons
Explanation: Electrostatics is caused by the transfer or redistribution of electrons.
57. Which of these materials can become negatively charged by rubbing?
a) Glass
b) Wool
c) Plastic
d) Silk
Answer: c) Plastic
Explanation: Plastic tends to gain electrons and become negatively charged when rubbed.
58. What is the result when two identical charges are placed near each other?
a) They attract
b) They repel
c) They neutralize each other
d) They combine
Answer: b) They repel
Explanation: Like charges repel due to electrostatic force.
59. What is the purpose of a lightning rod?
a) To attract lightning
b) To protect buildings by safely conducting lightning charge to the ground
c) To create static electricity
d) To produce electricity
Answer: b) To protect buildings by safely conducting lightning charge to the ground
Explanation: Lightning rods provide a low resistance path for lightning current to ground.
60. Which of the following statements about conductors is true?
a) They do not allow charge to flow
b) They allow charge to flow easily
c) They only allow positive charges to flow
d) They only allow negative charges to flow
Answer: b) They allow charge to flow easily
Explanation: Conductors allow electrons (charges) to move freely.
61. Which of the following does NOT affect the electrostatic force between two charges?
a) The magnitude of charges
b) The distance between charges
c) The medium between the charges
d) The speed of charges
Answer: d) The speed of charges
Explanation: Electrostatic force depends on charge magnitudes, distance, and medium, but not on speed.
62. When a charged rod is brought close to a small neutral metal sphere, the sphere…
a) Remains neutral
b) Gains same charge as the rod
c) Gains opposite charge on the near side and like charge on the far side
d) Becomes charged by friction
Answer: c) Gains opposite charge on the near side and like charge on the far side
Explanation: Charges are redistributed by induction.
63. What does a Van de Graaff generator produce?
a) Magnetic field
b) Static electricity
c) Current electricity
d) Radiation
Answer: b) Static electricity
Explanation: Van de Graaff generators create and accumulate large static charges.
64. Which of these materials typically holds a positive charge when rubbed?
a) Glass
b) Plastic
c) Rubber
d) Ebonite
Answer: a) Glass
Explanation: Glass tends to lose electrons and become positively charged.
65. What is the main difference between conductors and insulators?
a) Conductors have free electrons; insulators do not
b) Conductors gain electrons easily; insulators lose them easily
c) Conductors never conduct electricity; insulators always do
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Conductors have free electrons; insulators do not
Explanation: Conductors have free-moving electrons, insulators don’t.
66. Which of the following causes the flow of charge in an electrostatic field?
a) Potential difference
b) Magnetic field
c) Temperature difference
d) Pressure difference
Answer: a) Potential difference
Explanation: Electric potential difference drives charge flow.
67. When charging by induction, which part of the conductor gets charged first?
a) The part near the charged object
b) The part farthest from the charged object
c) Entire conductor equally
d) No part gets charged
Answer: a) The part near the charged object
Explanation: Opposite charges are induced on the near side.
68. Which law quantitatively describes the force between two point charges?
a) Ohm’s Law
b) Coulomb’s Law
c) Newton’s Law
d) Faraday’s Law
Answer: b) Coulomb’s Law
Explanation: Coulomb’s Law gives the force magnitude and direction between charges.
69. How does an electroscope indicate the presence of charge?
a) By glowing
b) By the movement of leaves or needle
c) By producing sound
d) By heating
Answer: b) By the movement of leaves or needle
Explanation: Charged leaves repel and diverge, indicating presence of charge.
70. The transfer of electrons between two objects by direct contact is called…
a) Charging by friction
b) Charging by conduction
c) Charging by induction
d) Charging by radiation
Answer: b) Charging by conduction
Explanation: Conduction involves direct contact and transfer of charges.
71. Which particle moves during conduction of electricity in metals?
a) Proton
b) Neutron
c) Electron
d) Ion
Answer: c) Electron
Explanation: Electrons are mobile and carry charge in metals.
72. What does grounding do to a charged conductor?
a) Adds more charge
b) Removes excess charge
c) Keeps the charge constant
d) Multiplies the charge
Answer: b) Removes excess charge
Explanation: Grounding neutralizes a conductor by allowing charge flow to earth.
73. How do static charges on an object behave in humid weather compared to dry weather?
a) Increase
b) Decrease
c) Remain the same
d) Double
Answer: b) Decrease
Explanation: Moisture conducts charges away, reducing static buildup.
74. The unit of electric charge is…
a) Ampere
b) Volt
c) Coulomb
d) Newton
Answer: c) Coulomb
Explanation: Coulomb (C) is the SI unit of electric charge.
75. Which of the following is NOT true about insulators?
a) They do not conduct electricity easily
b) They prevent flow of electrons
c) They can hold static charge
d) They allow free movement of electrons
Answer: d) They allow free movement of electrons
Explanation: Insulators restrict electron movement.
76. When two charged objects are brought close, the force between them is…
a) Always attractive
b) Always repulsive
c) Attractive if charges are opposite, repulsive if same
d) No force acts
Answer: c) Attractive if charges are opposite, repulsive if same
Explanation: Like charges repel, unlike attract.
77. The electrostatic force between two charges increases if…
a) Distance increases
b) Charges decrease
c) Distance decreases
d) Charges neutralize
Answer: c) Distance decreases
Explanation: Force varies inversely with square of distance.
78. What happens when a charged object is brought near a conductor connected to ground?
a) Conductor becomes charged
b) Charges flow to or from the earth neutralizing the conductor
c) Nothing happens
d) The conductor repels the object
Answer: b) Charges flow to or from the earth neutralizing the conductor
Explanation: Grounding neutralizes induced charge.
79. Which material is most likely to become negatively charged when rubbed with silk?
a) Glass
b) Plastic
c) Rubber
d) Wood
Answer: b) Plastic
Explanation: Plastic tends to gain electrons and become negatively charged.
80. What is the charge on a proton?
a) Negative
b) Positive
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Answer: b) Positive
Explanation: Protons carry positive charge.
81. Which one of the following is NOT a method of charging?
a) Friction
b) Induction
c) Conduction
d) Radiation
Answer: d) Radiation
Explanation: Radiation is not a method of charging by electrostatics.
82. The force between two charges is zero when…
a) Charges are equal
b) Charges are opposite
c) Charges are infinitely far apart
d) Charges are the same sign
Answer: c) Charges are infinitely far apart
Explanation: Force approaches zero as distance increases infinitely.
83. Which of these statements about electrons is true?
a) They are positively charged
b) They are heavier than protons
c) They move freely in conductors
d) They do not participate in electricity
Answer: c) They move freely in conductors
Explanation: Electrons move freely and carry charge in conductors.
84. What happens to the electric force if the magnitude of one charge is doubled?
a) Force is halved
b) Force doubles
c) Force quadruples
d) Force remains the same
Answer: b) Force doubles
Explanation: Force is directly proportional to product of charges.
85. Which of the following is an example of an insulator?
a) Copper
b) Aluminum
c) Plastic
d) Silver
Answer: c) Plastic
Explanation: Plastic does not allow free flow of charges.
86. Which method of charging involves no contact between the charged object and the neutral object?
a) Charging by friction
b) Charging by conduction
c) Charging by induction
d) Charging by rubbing
Answer: c) Charging by induction
Explanation: Induction charges objects without contact.
87. What happens when a charged object is brought near an uncharged metal sphere connected to ground?
a) Sphere becomes charged with same charge
b) Sphere becomes charged with opposite charge
c) Charges flow to ground neutralizing sphere
d) Sphere explodes
Answer: b) Sphere becomes charged with opposite charge
Explanation: Induction and grounding leave the sphere charged opposite to the external object.
88. The repulsion between two charged objects can be explained by…
a) Like charges repel
b) Opposite charges repel
c) Charges attract
d) Charges neutralize
Answer: a) Like charges repel
Explanation: Electrostatic law states like charges repel.
89. How does static electricity differ from current electricity?
a) Static involves moving charges; current involves stationary charges
b) Static involves stationary charges; current involves moving charges
c) Both involve moving charges
d) Both involve stationary charges
Answer: b) Static involves stationary charges; current involves moving charges
Explanation: Static charge is stationary; current involves flow.
90. Why do clothes stick together after being in a dryer?
a) Heat creates charge
b) Friction between clothes creates static electricity
c) Clothes become magnetic
d) Dryer creates current electricity
Answer: b) Friction between clothes creates static electricity
Explanation: Rubbing generates static charges causing attraction.
91. What happens when an insulator is charged?
a) Charges move freely
b) Charges stay localized
c) Charges disappear
d) Insulator becomes a conductor
Answer: b) Charges stay localized
Explanation: Insulators do not allow free movement of charge.
92. A negatively charged rod is brought near a neutral electroscope. What happens?
a) Electroscope leaves collapse
b) Electroscope leaves diverge
c) No change
d) Electroscope becomes positively charged
Answer: b) Electroscope leaves diverge
Explanation: Electrons redistribute causing repulsion between leaves.
93. When a charged conductor is isolated, its charge…
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) Flows to ground
Answer: c) Remains constant
Explanation: Charge cannot flow away without a path.
94. How does an insulator behave in the presence of a charged object?
a) It allows charge flow
b) It polarizes
c) It conducts electricity
d) It becomes neutral
Answer: b) It polarizes
Explanation: Charges within shift slightly causing polarization.
95. What is the fundamental charge of an electron?
a) C (positive)
b) C (negative)
c) C (positive)
d) C (negative)
Answer: b) C (negative)
Explanation: Electrons carry negative fundamental charge.
96. Why does a charged balloon stick to a wall?
a) Because of magnetic force
b) Because of induction causing attraction
c) Because the wall becomes charged by friction
d) Because balloon becomes neutral
Answer: b) Because of induction causing attraction
Explanation: Balloon induces opposite charges in the wall.
97. What is the effect of friction on the electric charge of two objects?
a) It transfers electrons from one object to another
b) It transfers protons
c) It creates neutrons
d) It neutralizes both objects
Answer: a) It transfers electrons from one object to another
Explanation: Friction causes electron transfer resulting in static charge.
98. Which of the following does not allow static charge to build up?
a) Dry air
b) Humid air
c) Plastic
d) Rubber
Answer: b) Humid air
Explanation: Moisture in humid air dissipates charges quickly.
99. What is the charge on an uncharged object?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Answer: c) Neutral
Explanation: Uncharged objects have equal protons and electrons.
100. What is the force between two charges separated by zero distance?
a) Zero
b) Infinite
c) One
d) Undefined
Answer: d) Undefined
Explanation: Coulomb’s law is undefined at zero distance (force theoretically infinite).