Positively Charged Metal Sphere: Reactivity & Capacitors

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    Charged Metal Sphere
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the reactivity of a positively charged metal sphere and its interaction with air, particularly oxygen. Participants clarify that gases in the air are neutrally charged, which prevents the sphere from reacting with them. The conversation also touches on the behavior of capacitor plates, emphasizing that they do not react with air under normal conditions. A caveat is noted regarding high humidity, which may lead to some leakage from the sphere.

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Abdullah Wahid
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When we make a metal sphere positively charged by electricity, why doesn't it react with oxygen or any other element in air as metal has positive charges and one of the element in air must react with sphere as I think an ion can never stand in air without reacting?
If it reacts, why doesn't the capacitor plates react with air??
 
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Abdullah Wahid said:
When we make a metal sphere positively charged by electricity, why doesn't it react with oxygen or any other element in air

why would it ?

gasses in the air around you is neutrally charged

Abdullah Wahid said:
why doesn't it react with oxygen or any other element in air as metal has positive charges and one of the element in air must react with sphere as I think an ion can never stand in air without reacting?
have a think and consider my previous comment, then re-ask yourself ... Why must it react ?

Abdullah Wahid said:
If it reacts, why doesn't the capacitor plates react with air??

as you have now discovered ... it doesn't

Caveat ... if the air around the sphere is very moist ( high humidity) there will possibly/probably be some leakage from the sphere
and probably mainly down the pole/other thing that is supporting the sphereDave
 
davenn said:
why would it ?

gasses in the air around you is neutrally charged
have a think and consider my previous comment, then re-ask yourself ... Why must it react ?
as you have now discovered ... it doesn't

Caveat ... if the air around the sphere is very moist ( high humidity) there will possibly/probably be some leakage from the sphere
and probably mainly down the pole/other thing that is supporting the sphereDave

Actually i think that nature will never allow an ion to stay in air without reacting. As charges are present it must react with something , probably with air as air has surrounded it and air also have some moisture in it.
If capacitor reacts, conductivity of plates should be effected as new compund is formed and mass of plates must change. Isn't it??
 
Abdullah Wahid said:
Actually i think that nature will never allow an ion to stay in air without reacting. As charges are present it must react with something ,

I have a feeling you don't know what an ion is ?

describe to me what you think it is :smile:

Abdullah Wahid said:
If capacitor reacts, conductivity of plates should be effected as new compound is formed and mass of plates must change. Isn't it??

no
 
davenn said:
I have a feeling you don't know what an ion is ?

describe to me what you think it is :smile:
no
Ion is an atom with net charge due to gain or loss of electrons. When sphere is charged positively, it has lesser electrons than what it had in neutral state, so this means some atoms must habe lost their valance electons.
Isn't it true
 

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