Charging an Insulator This problem explores the behavior of charge on realistic

Question

Charging an Insulator This problem explores the behavior of charge on realistic (i.e. non-ideal) insulators. We take as an example a long insulating rod suspended by insulating wires. Assume that the rod is initially electridally neutral. For convenience, we will refer to the left end of the rod as end A, and the right end of the rod as end B (Figure 1). In the answer options for this problem, "weakly attracted/repelled" means "attracted/repelled with a force of magnitude similar to that which would exist between two balls, one of which is charged, and the other acquires a small induced charge". An attractive/repulsive force greater than this should be classified as "strongly attracted/repelled". Figure 1 of 1

Explanation / Answer

PART A

When a small metal ball is brought near the rod, a positive charge is induced at end A and correspondingly,

end B acquires a negative induced charge. This means that some charge must have flowed from A to B.

Since charge flow is inhibited in an insulator, the induced charges are very small. So, they wakly attract

each other

Hence option weakly attracted is correct

PART B

When a small metal ball is severel contact to end A, most of its negative charge will be deposited end A of rod.

We know that charge cannot flow easily through an insulator, most of this charge will just sit at end A and   

will not distribute itself over the rod, as it would if the rod is a conductor.

Hence option negative charge on end A with end B remaining almost neutral is correct

PART C

Most of a small ball negative charge is deposited end A of rod by several contact of ball with end A of rod

so they strongly repelled each other

Hence option strongly repelled is correct

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

---