Does a Positively Charged Ball Attract a Neutral Metal Ball?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a positively charged ball in relation to a neutral metal ball, specifically focusing on the concept of electrostatic induction and attraction between charged and neutral objects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the movement of electrons within the neutral metal ball when influenced by the positively charged ball, and the resulting attraction. Questions arise regarding the visibility and documentation of this phenomenon in educational materials compared to other examples of electrostatic attraction.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the reasoning presented about the attraction of the metal ball, while others express curiosity about the lack of examples in textbooks and online resources regarding the attraction of conductors compared to insulators. The conversation indicates a productive exploration of the topic, with participants questioning the visibility of effects in different materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a discrepancy in educational resources, highlighting that while polarization is often discussed, the attraction of conductors is less frequently addressed. This raises questions about the observability of such effects compared to those involving insulators.

taisiu
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


When a positively charged ball is brought near a neutral conductor(a light metal ball), will the metal ball be attracted towards the charged ball?


Homework Equations



This is electrostatic induction.


The Attempt at a Solution


Like a charged rod can attract the paper(insulation) by the polarization of atoms.
So similarly, I think the lots of electrons will move to one side of metal ball and the whole metal ball will be attracted to the +ve charged ball. The attractive force is even greater than the insulator like plastic ball.

Thanks~~
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your reasoning is correct.
 
kuruman said:
Your reasoning is correct.

Thanks
However, in my text there's only description of polarization but no description of the attraction of conductors. Same thing happens on the web. Also, people always show attraction of water flow, paper, hair;but not conductor.
So why's that? Is it because the attraction of insulator is much larger and observable?
Thanks!
 
taisiu said:
Thanks
However, in my text there's only description of polarization but no description of the attraction of conductors. Same thing happens on the web. Also, people always show attraction of water flow, paper, hair;but not conductor.
So why's that? Is it because the attraction of insulator is much larger and observable?
Thanks!
Yes, it is easier to see flowing water being deflected electrostatically than a metal conductor. For conductor attraction on the web, see for example

http://www.physicsdemos.com/demo.php?demo_id=400&path_id=69
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K