Electro statics in detail

 

Electro statics in detail

Table for contents ·       Introduction. ·       Production of electric charges. ·       Electrostatic induction. ·       Electroscope. ·       Produce a charge.

Introduction

The study of charges at rest is called electrostatics or static electricity. In this unit, we will describe different properties of static charges. Such as electric force, electric field and electric potential etc. we will also discuss some uses and safety measures of static electricity.

Production of electric charges.

If we run a plastic comb through our hair and then bring it near a small piece of paper, the comb attracts them. Similarly, amber when rubbed with silk attracts the small pieces of paper. This property of attractions or repulsion between substances is due to the electric charges they acquire during rubbing.

We can produce electric charges by rubbing a neutral body with another neutral body. The following activities show that we can produce two types of electric charges through the process of rubbing.

The opposite charges are conventionally called positive charge and negative charge. During the process of rubbing negative charge is transferred from one object to another object.

From these activities, we conclude that:

·       Charge is a basic property of a material body due to which it attracts or repels another object.

·       Friction produces two different types of charges on different materials (such as glass and plastic).

·       Like charges always repels each other.

·       Unlike charges always attract each other.

·       Repulsion is the sure test of charge on a body.

 

Electrostatic induction

The attraction between the charged and uncharged rods shows as if both rods have unlike charges. But this is not true. Charged plastic rod produce displacement of positive and negative charge on the neutral aluminium rod which is the cause of attraction between them. But total charge on aluminium rod is still zero. It implies that attraction is not the sure test of charge on the body.

Electroscope

The gold leaf electroscope is a sensitive instrument for detecting charges. In consists of a brass rod with a brass disk at the top and two thin leaves of gold foil hanging at the bottom. The rod passes through an insulator that keeps the rod in place; the whole assembly is fitted in a glass jar. Charges can moves freely from the disk to the leave through the rod. A thin aluminium foil is attached on the lower portion of the inside of the jar. Usually, the aluminium foil is grounded by connecting a copper wire. This protects the leaves from the external electrical disturbances.

Produce a charge

Take a comb and rough the comb with your dry hairs, note that the comb is also dry. After the roughing tear some pieces of paper from page and kept them into table. Bring the comb near to the tea red papers the comb attracts the tea red pieces of paper. This is because by rubbing the comb with the hairs charges are produces in the object that is neutral.

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