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Chapter 7: Problem 2

A particular solid is electrically charged after it is rubbed, but it is not known whether its charge is positive or negative. How could you determine which charge it has by using a piece of plastic and fur?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: To determine the type of charge on the solid object, rub the fur on the plastic to create a known negative charge on the plastic. Then, move the charged plastic close to the solid object without touching it. Observe the interaction: if the objects attract each other, the solid object has a positive charge; if they repel, the solid object has a negative charge.

Step by step solution

01

Materials and Preparation

Prepare the materials: a solid object with an unknown electrical charge, a piece of plastic, and some fur.
02

Charge the Plastic

Rub the fur vigorously on the plastic to produce a known electrical charge. After a few seconds, the plastic will become charged due to the process of static electricity. Here, rubbing the fur on the plastic creates a negative charge on the plastic.
03

Observe the Interaction

Move the charged piece of plastic close to the unknown charged object without touching it. Observe the interaction between the two objects. Depending on the reaction, the type of charge of the unknown object can be determined. If the objects attract each other, it means that they have opposite charges. If they repel, they have the same type of charges.
04

Determine the Solid's Charge

Since the plastic is negatively charged, compare the interaction observed in Step 3 to determine the solid object's charge. If the solid and the plastic attracted each other, the solid is positively charged. If they repelled, the solid is negatively charged.

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