Random electron striking a neutral conductor

[Bruce Haawkins]

if a random electron strikes a neutral conductor does it get absorbed and increase the voltage of the conductor

 

[Bruce Haawkins]

since the electron has a negative charge and the conductor has a neutral charge it makes sense to me that the electron will absorb. However if I had 10 electrons striking the conductor and a nano secound later five and the conductor was connected to the earth, will any of the electrons reflect

 

[ZapperZ]

You need to be aware that charge particles strike a lot of things, including conductors, all the time. Cosmic rays consist of such particles. So this is not uncommon.

So now, use this experience that you live with everyday to come up with a plausible answer. After all, if charge particle strikes are common, why haven't you been electrocuted yet due to this buildup in voltage? Most conductors are attached to other conductors and other things. Most are grounded. Any net charge that a conductor gets from such strikes will flow out of that conductor. Even one that is isolated is not truly "isolated", because it is surrounded by air, water vapor, etc. where at some point, access charge will be able to escape.

Zz.