Can Rubbing a Metal with a Cloth Charge It by Friction?

AI Thread Summary
Rubbing a metal, such as copper, with a cloth in an ideal dry environment does not effectively charge it by friction due to the rigid molecular structure of pure conductors, which restricts the movement of electrons. While insulators like polythene can easily become charged through friction, metals have free electrons that do not easily transfer under similar conditions. The discussion highlights the contrasting behaviors of conductors and insulators when subjected to friction. Some argue that the presence of free electrons in conductors allows for potential charging, but the consensus leans towards the difficulty of charging metals in this manner. Ultimately, charging a well-insulated metal by friction is extremely challenging.
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Imagine you have a rod half of which is made of copper and the other half is made of polythene (insulator).

If the rod is held from the insulating part (and so it's not earthed) and the copper part is rubbed vigorously with a very dry cloth, will it be charged or not?

In short I want to know whether in an ideal dry environment, whether it is possible or not to charge a well insulated metal by friction.
 
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There is a weak possibility of getting a metal charged by friction as, a pure conductor, such as copper, has a rigid molecular construction that will not permit its electrons to be moved about freely in contrast to insulators that get charged with the slightest friction heat or pressure as it is extremely easy to disrupt their molecular construction.
In short it's extremely not easy to charge a metal by friction .
 
handsoff said:
There is a weak possibility of getting a metal charged by friction as, a pure conductor, such as copper, has a rigid molecular construction that will not permit its electrons to be moved about freely in contrast to insulators that get charged with the slightest friction heat or pressure as it is extremely easy to disrupt their molecular construction.
In short it's extremely not easy to charge a metal by friction .

isnt it opposite of that?

conductors have free electrons (so that they conduct obviously !) which are easy to be taken away ... so friction will result in charging the rod
 
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