Conductor vs Insulator Effects

[cvc121]

If a negatively charged Styrofoam plate is brought towards pieces of paper placed on an insulator (ex. a piece of paper), attraction occurs. Repulsion occurs if pieces of aluminum foil, which is a conductor, are placed on an insulator. What would occur if the pieces of paper and aluminum foil were placed on a conductor, such as a sheet of aluminum foil? Would the pieces of paper still be attracted to the plate while aluminum pieces repelled? Would the strength of attraction or repulsion differ?

 

[davenn]

If a negatively charged Styrofoam plate is brought towards pieces of paper placed on an insulator (ex. a piece of paper), attraction occurs. Repulsion occurs if pieces of aluminum foil, which is a conductor, are placed on an insulator. What would occur if the pieces of paper and aluminum foil were placed on a conductor, such as a sheet of aluminum foil? Would the pieces of paper still be attracted to the plate while aluminum pieces repelled? Would the strength of attraction or repulsion differ?

You have a great set of questions there and the first thing you should be doing is some basic
experiments of your own
This would be very easy to do at home and you would learn a whole lot more than if some one just handed you the answers

so give it a try and come back and tell us your results

Dave

 

[cvc121]

Thanks for the reply. I have tried the experiments but yield the exact same results for both. However, it is to my understanding that there should be an observable difference. I have done lots of research regarding the topic but still cannot come up with a valid answer.

 

[cvc121]

Would anyone be able to clarify? I am still confused as to why placing a conductor or insulator below the pieces of paper or aluminum foil would make a difference. I can't get it to work.

 

[cvc121]

Am I on the right track in saying that both the paper and aluminum foil would attract because the the conductive material underneath would take in the electrons resulting in positive charges to both the paper and the foil?