Charged insulator in contact with conductor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a question in electrostatics concerning the interaction between a charged insulator and a conductor. Participants are exploring how charge can be transferred or acquired by the conductor, particularly in the context of whether the conductor is grounded or not.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the conditions under which a conductor can acquire charge from an insulator, particularly focusing on the grounding of the conductor. There are discussions about the nature of charge distribution and the potential for the conductor to gain a net charge.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering insights into the implications of grounding and the nature of charge transfer. There is a recognition of the complexity of the problem, and various interpretations of the options presented are being explored without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the lack of information regarding whether the conductor is grounded, which is central to the problem. There is also mention of the charge distribution on the insulator being primarily surface-level, which may affect the interaction with the conductor.

Vibhor
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
This is a quite a fundamental question in electrostatics and I felt pretty embarrassed getting it wrong .I thought correct option was d) .

Could someone help me understand how conductor could acquire charge as charges cannot move from insulator .

Thanks .
 

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Vibhor said:
This is a quite a fundamental question
Unfortunately it is also quite flawed, so don't feel too badly. It does not say whether the conductor is grounded!
If not, it might acquire a very small net positive charge from the insulator. At the same time, there would be a redistribution of charges, bringing negative charge close to the insulator and pushing positive charge to the far side.
If it is grounded then b is right.
 
Suppose conductor is not grounded , then which option do you think is most appropriate . What do you think about option d) ?
 
Vibhor said:
Suppose conductor is not grounded , then which option do you think is most appropriate . What do you think about option d) ?
Bit of a toss-up between a and d. As I posted, I believe it would acquire some positive charge, but it might be very small. It depends how good a contact is made and over how great an area.
Remember that, typically, the charge on the insulator will be just on the surface, because that's as far as it got when the charge was created (by friction, say). So it is perfectly possible to transfer it off that surface again.
 

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