A problem regarding static charge -- rubbing a metal rod with wool

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of static charge on a metal rod when rubbed with wool, specifically examining the conditions under which the rod becomes charged based on its handling and materials involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a metal rod held in hand and rubbed with wool does not show signs of charging, while a rod with a wooden or plastic handle does.
  • Another participant suggests that charge leaves through the hand to the Earth, indicating that hands are conductors and wood or plastic are insulators.
  • A later reply reiterates the point about charge leaving through the hand and emphasizes the insulating properties of wood or plastic.
  • One participant adds that connecting the rod to a body or Earth increases capacitance, which could result in a minimal potential change due to the relationship V=Q/C.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the role of conductivity in the charging process, but the discussion includes multiple perspectives on the implications of capacitance and the effects of different materials.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the specific mechanisms of charge transfer and the implications of capacitance that participants have not fully explored.

sahilmm15
Messages
100
Reaction score
27
A metal rod held in hand and rubbed with wool will not show any sign of of being charged. However, if a metal rod with a wooden or plastic handle is rubbed without touching its metal part, it shows signs of charging. Why??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi. Charge leaves through your hand to Earth. Wood or plastic is insulator, hands are conductor.
 
anuttarasammyak said:
Hi. Charge leaves through your hand to Earth. Wood or plastic is insulator, hands are conductor.
Just after posting the question I got the answer. But I didn't knew how to delete the thread which I created. Can you help me with this. By the way thanks for the answer.
 
anuttarasammyak said:
Hi. Charge leaves through your hand to Earth. Wood or plastic is insulator, hands are conductor.
Also : Connecting the rod to a body - or Earth will have the effect of vastly increasing the Capacitance and V=Q/C so the Potential change will be minuscule.
 

Similar threads

High School Charged insulator touches a conductor
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
9K
High School Conductors in the triboelectric series
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Electric charge on rubbed objects
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Meaning of "Static Electricity" and Physical Interpretation
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
High School Problems I Have With Electrostatics and Pith Ball Experiments
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Undergrad Transferring static charge from a Wimshurst machine to a foil pipe
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Photoelectric effect suddenly stopped working help
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Can high voltage static electricity cause a shock through a power cord?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Does the Electric Field Change When One Charge Moves Relative to Another?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad What Happens to Ions Generated by a Destat Apparatus?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K