Charging Objects by Rubbing

Charging Objects by Rubbing

When you bring an inflated balloon close to pieces of paper without actually touching the papers, the inflated balloon fails to attract the pieces of papers.

However, when you rub a woolen fabric against the inflated balloon and bring the balloon close to the pieces of paper the papers are attracted and move towards the balloon surface.

Explanation.

• Rubbing the inflated balloon or comb against a woolen fabric or against your hair transfers a negative charge to both objects. This creates static electricity.

• However, when you bring a dry plastic comb or inflated balloon close to the materials without rubbing, none of the materials is attracted to it.

• When you rub the inflated balloon or comb against your hair or the woolen fabric, they become negatively charged.

• If there is enough charge, the balloon or comb will stick to surfaces of neutral objects such as pieces of paper or pieces of tissue.

• The negatively charged inflated balloon or comb attracts the pieces of paper or tissue by attracting the positive charges in these materials.

• It left for some time, the attracted items will eventually fall off the comb or the balloon. This is because the static charges scatter and slowly vanish over time. (they become weak).

• Finally, the balloon or comb loses its negative charges and the materials get unstuck.

Therefore, you can charge an object by rubbing.

Charging Objects-By Induction

Charging by Induction occurs when a charged object is placed near an object that is neutral (conductor) without getting in contact with it.

When an object is charged by induction, it gains charges opposite to the inducing charges.