Why Don't Metals Get Charged by Friction?

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SUMMARY

Metal objects, such as nails, do not retain charge from friction like insulators (e.g., combs, plastic rods, glass rods) due to their conductive properties. When charge is transferred to a metal, it disperses across the entire surface, resulting in a low surface charge density. This phenomenon is contrasted with insulators, where the charge remains localized. Additionally, experiments by William Crookes and J.J. Thomson in the 1870s illustrate electric discharge through gases, highlighting the role of air pressure in ionization processes.

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  • Understanding of electric charge and conductivity
  • Familiarity with atomic structure and electron behavior
  • Knowledge of electric discharge phenomena
  • Basic principles of gas ionization
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  • Research the principles of charge distribution in conductive materials
  • Explore the workings of the van der Graaf generator
  • Study the Crookes tube and its implications in gas ionization
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Students of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the principles of electricity and atomic structure will benefit from this discussion.

manjuvenamma
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Why don't metal objects such as a nail get charged by friction like the famous comb, plastic rod or glass rod - all insulators?
 
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electric discharge through gases

Can some one kindly explain or give a reference link that explains why it happens what it happens in electric discharges through gases like William Crookes expermient of 1870s and JJ Thomsons experiments with cathode rays? Covering also such important aspects such as what would have happened if we did not remove air/gas in the tube? Why electrons did not ionise the gas inside at low pressures etc? Thanks in advance. Basically, I want to know how our present knowledge of atomic structure explains the experiments and its results?
 
manjuvenamma said:
Why don't metal objects such as a nail get charged by friction like the famous comb, plastic rod or glass rod - all insulators?
They do.

You can make a compass this way. Googling, I can't seem to find it, but I was a Boy Scout... (I'm curious, so I'll look more tomorrow)
 
manjuvenamma said:
Why don't metal objects such as a nail get charged by friction like the famous comb, plastic rod or glass rod - all insulators?
On an insulator, like a comb, the transferred charged stays where it was placed.
In a metal, the charge spreads over the entire surface of the metal, so that the surface charge density is usually small.
There are cases where the charge transferred to a metal can build up.
This happens in the van der Graaf generator.
 
russ_watters said:
They do.

You can make a compass this way.
No charge is transferred when a boy (or girl) scout magnetizes metal.
 

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