Can charges be transferred between objects and how does it affect metal objects?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the transfer of charges between objects, specifically focusing on metal objects. When a metal object receives a positive charge, it polarizes and loses some electrons, but not all. Positive charges, which are conventionally referred to as "positive charge carriers," do not physically transfer; instead, the movement of electrons creates the effect of positive charge movement. The transfer of electrons occurs only when objects are in contact or connected by a conductor, and protons remain stationary within atomic nuclei.

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  • Understanding of electric charge, including positive and negative charges
  • Familiarity with the concept of polarization in conductive materials
  • Knowledge of electron transfer mechanisms in electrostatics
  • Basic principles of atomic structure, including protons and electrons
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  • Learn about polarization effects in conductive materials
  • Study the role of conductors and insulators in charge transfer
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AznBoi
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Ok, I'm confused about items that get charged.

If a metal object receives a positive charge. The positive charge polarizes the metal object and sucks some electrons away from it right? (Does it suck all of the electrons away or what)? Because - and + attract and I would assume only the electrons get transfered.

Can Positive charges get transferred from one object to the other? Are positive charges protons?

So If you charge a metal object with a negative charge. It still polarizes the metal object and attracts the closer positive charges. Therefore does the electrons jump onto the metal object?

I'm just confused with which one (positive or negative charges) get transferred to the other object (neutral, I would assume).
 
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AznBoi said:
Ok, I'm confused about items that get charged.

If a metal object receives a positive charge. The positive charge polarizes the metal object and sucks some electrons away from it right? (Does it suck all of the electrons away or what)? Because - and + attract and I would assume only the electrons get transfered.
Assuming that we don't have sparking (i.e., electrons jumping from one object to another), transfer of electrons can only occur when the objects are touching or connected by a conductor. I'm not sure what you mean by "receives" a positive charge.
Can Positive charges get transferred from one object to the other? Are positive charges protons?
Yes, "positive charge carriers" can get transferred. Because of convention, we have electrons (negative charge carriers) and their opposites, positive charge carriers. These positive carriers don't really exist, but due to an unfortunate convention we say that "positive charges" move around. So if positive charge carriers are moving one way, electrons are in reality moving the other way.

Protons have positive charge, but when we refer to moving positive charge in general we are discussing the above positive charge carriers.
So If you charge a metal object with a negative charge. It still polarizes the metal object and attracts the closer positive charges. Therefore does the electrons jump onto the metal object?
Can you rephrase this question? I'm not sure what you're asking.
I'm just confused with which one (positive or negative charges) get transferred to the other object (neutral, I would assume).
Think of it this way - only electrons are being transferred, but convention allows us to say that positive charge is moving around too.

If we bring a net positive sphere to touch a neutral sphere, we say that "positive charge" moves from the positive sphere to the neutral one. But what's really happening is that electrons are moving from the neutral sphere to the positive sphere, to fill the deficit.
 
I guess I should stick with electrons moving because I do not know what positive charge carriers are yet. But in reality, the protons (positive charges) stay put in the nucleus of an atom right and never move? It is only the electrons that are able to be transferred from one object to another from everyday occurrences right?
 

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