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GT bear
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Homework Statement
You observe that a negatively charged plastic pen repels a charged piece of magic tape. You then observe that the same piece of tape is repelled when brought near a metal sphere. You are wearing rubber soled shoes, and you touch the metal sphere with your hand. After you touch the metal sphere, you observe that the tape is attracted to the metal sphere. Which of the following statements could be true? Check all that apply.
Possible answers:
1. Electrons from the sphere moved into the salt water on your skin, where they reacted with sodium ions.
2. The excess negative charge from the sphere spread out all over your body.
3. Chloride ions from the salt water on your hand moved onto the sphere.
4. Sodium ions from the salt water on your hand moved onto the sphere.
5. Electrons from your hand moved onto the sphere.
6. Electrons from the sphere traveled through your body into the Earth.
7. After you touched it, the metal sphere was very nearly neutral.
The Attempt at a Solution
I have 3 total attempts at this (it is an online homework system, and although the problem seems very easy and basic, I have missed it twice.) My first try I selected answers: 1,2,4,6, and 7. On my second attempt I selected: 2,6, and 7. I really though my first attempt was correct, and now I am lost. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
I know (or at least I think I know), that there is no way that electrons/Cl- ions could transfer from your hand to the ball because of its negative charge. All the other answers seem logical, in that the charge is being dissipated into your body/skin, and that the metal sphere then becomes uncharged, I think I may be missing something though?
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