Electrostatic induction

In summary, a positively charged rod placed near an aluminium foil will pull the free electrons towards it, leaving the top end of the foil negative and the bottom end positive. If the rod has a very large positive charge, it may not be strong enough to pull all the electrons away from the foil, but the foil may attract electrons from the surroundings to become neutral. In general, a solid object cannot have an extremely large positive charge as it will cause the atoms to repel and separate.
  • #1
davon806
148
1

Homework Statement


If there is a positively charged rod,which is placed near an aluminium foil,free electrons in the foil are pulled towards the rod.This makes the top end of the foil negative and leaves the bottom end short of electrons to become positive.

I wonder if the rod has a very large positive charge(e.g.10+),will it be strong enough to pull the electrons in the aluminium away from the foil?

So the "remaining part" of the foil(which is positively charged ion) will either decompose due to its
enormous internal repulsive forces between ions(as there are no electrons) or attract electrons from the surroundings(e.g.air) so as to become electrically neutral?

Is it possible for a substance to have a high positive charge in solid state?

I hope someone will understand what I am saying :(,it seems to be nonsense.

Thx.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
"Is it possible for a substance to have a high positive charge in solid state?"

Yes. The electrons that leave the foil are those which are easily "torn" from the atoms. Understand that you can't simply remove all of the electrons from the object. The other electrons are very tightly bounded to the nucleus and can't really be separated from the atom. But once you've removed the loosely bounded electrons, you now how a positively charged object. Objects can only become positively charged by losing electrons, not gaining protons.


"So the "remaining part" of the foil(which is positively charged ion) will either decompose due to its
enormous internal repulsive forces between ions(as there are no electrons) or attract electrons from the surroundings(e.g.air) so as to become electrically neutral?"

It would take an extremely massive loss of electrons for the foil to decompose in the way you're describing. I don't think that a rod with a massive amount of charge has enough strength to pull all of the electrons away from the foil.

If this foil was out in the air, then it would pull negatively charged particles from the air to it until it becomes neutral. This is why a balloon with a electric charge will lose its charge after a couple hours.


In general, I don't believe a solid object can have an extremely large positive charge like you're describing. Objects are bound together by the sharing of electrons. Once they're gone, the atoms have no reason to stick together and will repel and separate.

Does this answer your question?
 

1. What is electrostatic induction?

Electrostatic induction is the process by which a charged object can influence the distribution of charges in a nearby neutral object, without direct contact.

2. How does electrostatic induction work?

When a charged object is brought close to a neutral object, the electric fields of the charged object will exert a force on the charges in the neutral object, causing them to redistribute. This results in a separation of charges in the neutral object, leaving one side positively charged and the other side negatively charged.

3. What is the difference between electrostatic induction and conduction?

Electrostatic induction involves the influence of charges on a neutral object without direct contact, whereas conduction involves the transfer of charges between objects through direct contact.

4. How is electrostatic induction used in everyday life?

Electrostatic induction is used in many everyday devices, such as capacitors, photocopiers, and Van de Graaff generators. It is also used in electrostatic precipitators to remove particles from air, and in electrostatic paint sprayers.

5. Can electrostatic induction be harmful to humans?

In most cases, electrostatic induction is not harmful to humans. However, it can cause static shocks, which can be uncomfortable but not dangerous. In rare cases, electrostatic discharge from lightning or high voltage power lines can be harmful, but this is not directly related to electrostatic induction.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
852
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
Back
Top