Charged objects and the force between them?

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    Charged Force
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of charge induction and the force of attraction between charged and neutral objects. Specifically, a negatively charged plastic rod induces a positive charge at the nearer end of a neutral plastic rod, despite the latter being an insulator. This occurs because, although insulators do not have free electrons, their atomic or molecular structure allows for slight positional shifts of charges, creating a net charge imbalance. This induced charge leads to an attractive force between the two rods.

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manjuvenamma
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I read that charge by induction precedes force of attraction between a charged body and a neutral one. That is, the nearer end of the body gets oppositely charged when a charged body is brought closer to the neutral one. Since we now have 2 oppositely charged objects (object parts) closely spaced, the force of attraction takes of place. Now my question is about a negatively charged plastic rod brought closer to a neutral plastic rod. The 2 attract each other. How is charge by induction taking place in the neutral rod. The neutral rod, being an insulator does not have free electrons - insulators do not conduct because they do not have free electrons - then, how is positve charge formed on the neutral one at the nearer end to the negatively charged plastic rod?
 
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Charges in insulators cannot roam around freely like in conductors, but they can still shift position slightly on an atomic or molecular scale. This is enough to produce a small net imbalance of charge on a macroscopic scale.
 
Thanks, I should believe it.
 

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