Uses of static electricity
2 marks · NormalExplain why paint droplets from an electrostatic spray gun spread out from each other as they leave the nozzle.
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As paint droplets are given the same electric charge, they repel each other due to electrostatic repulsion, causing the spray to spread out.
Also accept: Paint droplets with the same charge repel and so the spray spreads out
Common mistakes: Thinking droplets are attracted to each other
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · States that all droplets have the same charge.
B2 · 1 mark · Explains that they repel each other/spread out due to like charges repelling.
Worked solution
All paint droplets are charged with the same type of charge, so electrostatic repulsion occurs. Like charges repel, so the droplets spread out from each other after leaving the nozzle.