What Causes Objects to Become Charged?

[kripkrip420]

Homework Statement

The problem is that I don't understand what causes an object to become positively or negatively charged. I know that, in chemistry, ions represent charges in voltaic cells. For example, cations become reduced and their electrons travel to the anode. This creates a negative charge at the anode because electrons from the solution containing the cations travel to that location. The opposite happens with the anions. They gain the electrons and become negatively charged. But this is all for solutions and ions. What happens to a solid object, like glass, when part of it becomes negatively or positively charged? Do ions exist on the surface when the charge changes? Also, where did the proportionality constant for Coulomb's Law come from? Thank you for your help!

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

[Explained above]

 

[Char. Limit]

I'm not sure what you're asking. I guess one way to talk about charge is that it's a fundamental property of particles that creates an electromagnetic force.

 

[SammyS]

What is an ion?

Why does an ion have electrical charge?

The proportionality constant comes from careful measurement. Charles Augustin de Coulomb was one of the first to make such a measurement.

 

[kripkrip420]

What is an ion?

Why does an ion have electrical charge?

The proportionality constant comes from careful measurement. Charles Augustin de Coulomb was one of the first to make such a measurement.

Are you asking me?

Ions have electric charge because they have lost or gained electrons with respect to the original atom. Charge represents how positive or negative an ion is relative to its' neutral atomic state. This, however, does not explain why an object that is solid can have such properties. Ions can exist only, as far as I know, in a liquid or gaseous (plasma) state.

 

[Char. Limit]

Are you asking me?

Ions have electric charge because they have lost or gained electrons with respect to the original atom. Charge represents how positive or negative an ion is relative to its' neutral atomic state. This, however, does not explain why an object that is solid can have such properties. Ions can exist only, as far as I know, in a aqueous or gaseous (plasma) state.

FTFY

What you seem to be asking here is how a solid can carry an electric/magnetic charge. At least I think so. What you have to consider is not just the amount of positive and negative charges in the solid, but also their alignment.

At least I think so.

 

[SammyS]

Are you asking me?

Ions have electric charge because they have lost or gained electrons with respect to the original atom. Charge represents how positive or negative an ion is relative to its' neutral atomic state. This, however, does not explain why an object that is solid can have such properties. Ions can exist only, as far as I know, in a liquid or gaseous (plasma) state.

OK, a solid object may also gain a some electrons or lose a some electrons --- relative to the object being neutral.