Electrostatics I

Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Electrostatics I
Purpose
To encourage the building of mental models that correspond with physical reality.
To explain the behavior of objects that are charged.
To explain the interaction of charged and uncharged objects.

Equipment

♦ 4 Polystyrene rods (white plastic)

♦ 1 Piece of tissue paper
♦ 2 Acetate cloths (black)
♦ 2 Wool cloths (brown or black)
♦ 1 Sheet of PVC (dark blue)
♦ 1 Stand for rod that allows rotation (transparent)
♦ 1 Pith-ball threaded on monofilament
♦ 1 Chamber (on wood base)
♦ 1 copper rod & wooden stands
♦ 1 Iron nail & wooden stands
♦ 1 acrylic rod (transparent) & wooden stands
♦ A piece of aluminum foil

Verify that you have all of the equipment listed. Notify your TA if anything is missing.

Introduction
Please read the preface before your lab section meets. Remember from the preface not to use the words
electron, proton or neutron in the reports for electrostatics I and II. Leave aside ideas about the behavior
of atoms in bulk materials too. (These ideas won’t help you to answer questions in the labs about
Electricity either.)

Please recall that ‘an observation’ is not necessarily the first result that you happen to notice. You may
have to repeat something several times before you get a repeatable result that can be correctly called an
observation.

Electrostatics apparatus works best when the humidity is low. Results can also be affected by
oil/lotion on your hands. For best results, handle the apparatus only as much as necessary. It might be
a good idea to rinse (and dry!) your hands before beginning.

Instructions
In physics one, you saw that gravitational interaction is a possible way for objects to interact (that is ‘to
exert forces on each other). Tear off small pieces of dry tissue paper and put them on the bench. You
don’t need to tear up much paper but the pieces need to be about the size of a letter in this sentence.
Clean, dry hands also help!

1
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Rub a polystyrene rod with a wool cloth. (Vigorous rubbing doesn’t help: the effect is caused primarily
by the close contact of dissimilar substances. You get good results if you hold the rod tightly with the
wool cloth. Then withdraw the rod from the cloth. Repeat this just a couple of times to charge the rod.)

Bring the part of the rod that was rubbed near [but not touching] the pieces of paper. (Keep the bits of
paper for something that follows in this lab.) Write down what you see happening after tearing off
small pieces of paper & bringing the rod near them. [1]

Is the interaction between a piece of paper and the rod, stronger than the gravitational
interaction between the piece of paper and the Earth? Explain why/why not. [2]

Are pieces of paper picked up by parts of the rod that weren’t rubbed? [1]

Might it be possible to explain the interaction of the rod and pieces of paper as a gravitational
interaction? Please explain. [2]

This new interaction between the rod and pieces of paper is not gravitational and so deserves a name of
its own. We’ll call it an electrostatic interaction. It helps to experience this interaction in more than one
way. Do this as follows: Rub the polystyrene rod with the wool cloth again. Hold the rubbed part of the
rod less than 1 cm from your forearm. Do you feel anything? (If not, try rubbing the sheet of PVC on a
blank sheet of paper [or inside cover of a book]. Then bring the sheet of PVC close to your forearm.)

Rubbing a rod changes the way that the rod interacts with other objects. In order to describe the new
behavior of the rod, we’ll say that the rod has become charged. Notice that the word ‘charged’ is
defined by observable behavior of the object that has become charged. This operational definition of
the term ‘charged’, illustrates how scientific terminology arises; the term is just a label for operations
that we can do and observations that we can make. Conversely, in science, we avoid the use of words
that can’t be operationally defined. I won’t ask you to think about a mechanism by which an object
becomes charged. (This will allow you avoid mentioning sub-atomic particles that can’t be observed
using apparatus in this lab.)

Since you rubbed the surface of the polystyrene rod, it is reasonable to expect that you charged the
surface (rather than the interior) of the rod.

An important feature of the electrostatic interaction that distinguishes it from the gravitational
interaction is electrostatic repulsion.

Rub the sheet of PVC against a blank sheet of paper [or the inside cover of a book]. (Use the inside
cover because it will probably be cleaner than the outside cover. Even minor impurities can change
electrostatic behavior.) You’ll need the bits of tissue paper that you used before. Hold the charged PVC
sheet horizontally less than 1 cm above the pieces of tissue. Keep looking for several seconds after the
paper initially sticks to the sheet. What do you see happening? Is repulsion involved? [2] (If the bits
of paper seem to fall from the PVC, you might try holding the PVC vertically before the bits of paper
leave the PVC.) There is no need for you to explain this yet.

2
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Another way to see electrostatic interactions involves using stands that rotate. These stands are
designed to rotate with very little friction. This makes them quite sensitive but not strong! Please be
gentle with them!

Rub a polystyrene rod with a wool cloth. Put the charged rod on a rotating stand. (Remember which
end of the rod was rubbed.) Rub another polystyrene rod with the other wool cloth. Bring the charged
part of this rod about a centimeter from the charged part of the rod that is on the stand. Write the
following in the report, filling in the blanks where needed: Two rods are made of substance X. Both
are rubbed with substance Y and then interact by

________________ each other if either of them is free to move. [1]

Up to now, we have only distinguished between charged objects and uncharged objects. This only
demands the existence of one state-of-charge (that is; ‘one type of charge’). We’ll see if just having one
charge-state still makes sense after the following.

Rub a third polystyrene rod with an acetate cloth. Bring the charged part of this rod a couple of
centimeters from the charged part of the rod that is already on the stand. Write the following in the
report, filling in the blanks where needed: One polystyrene rod is rubbed with acetate cloth and
another polystyrene rod is rubbed with ______________ cloth. The rods ________________ each
other if either of them is free to move. [1]

Rub a fourth polystyrene rod with the sheet of PVC. Bring the charged part of the polystyrene rod a
couple of centimeters from the charged part of the rod that is on the stand. Write the following in the
report, filling in the blanks where needed: Two rods are made of polystyrene. One is rubbed with
______________ cloth and the other is rubbed with PVC. The rods will ________________ each other
if either of them is free to move. [1]

Is one state-of-charge (or ‘one type of charge’) sufficient to explain your observations? Explain.
Use observations that you have made in this lab to support your answer. [4]

Suppose that we have two charged rods and that the rods attract each other. No one has ever found a
third charged rod that repels both of the first two. This suggests that there aren’t more than two states-
of-charge. Benjamin Franklin used the words ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ 1 to describe the states-of-charge.
(Bear in mind that the names ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ are quite arbitrary. He could have called them
‘red charge’ and ‘blue charge’ just as easily.) It is important to realize that you can talk about ‘positive
and ‘negative’ charge without claiming that these charges have anything to do with sub-atomic
particles. When we draw plus or minus signs on a diagram, we are only saying that the region denoted
as being ‘positive’ has different electrostatic properties than a region denoted as ‘negative’. (If we
simply refer to charged regions of an object then we can avoid mentioning the cause of the charge.
Actually, we have already done this: we described the rubbed part of a polystyrene rod as being
charged while the interior of the rod was uncharged.)

1
Actually, Franklin went a bit further and also suggested a mechanism for producing two states-of-charge. His mechanism
required the existence of just one variety of charge. For him, ‘positive’ corresponded to the presence of charge and
‘negative’ corresponded to its absence. Observations of sub-atomic particles have changed our minds about his mechanism
for producing the two charge states. However, we still use his words ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ to describe the two different
kinds of charge that are demanded by the sub-atomic observations.
3
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

By convention, the state-of-charge acquired by polystyrene when it is rubbed with wool is called
‘negative’. The state-of-charge that is acquired by polystyrene when it is rubbed with PVC is called
‘positive’.

Let’s see if charge can move. A pith-ball is hanging in the (black) chamber. The chamber prevents air-
currents from disturbing the pith-ball. The ball is stuck to a piece of monofilament. The monofilament
fits into two notches that are cut into the sides of the chamber. Put the Plexiglas top on the chamber
and allow the pith-ball to reach equilibrium.

Put the copper rod on the wooden stands Move the copper rod through a rectangular hole in the
chamber and point it at the pith-ball. (Make sure that you can see the pith-ball through the window in
the chamber.) This end of the rod should be 2 or 3 mm from the pith-ball. (The gridlines on the base of
the chamber are 2 mm apart.) If necessary, change the length of monofilament so that the pith-ball is at
the same height as the end of the rod. Charge a polystyrene rod with a PVC cloth.

Touch the charged polystyrene rod against the end of the copper rod that protrudes from the chamber.
No pressure on the polystyrene rod is needed. It helps if you gently slide charged parts of the
polystyrene rod against the copper rod. Be careful not to move the copper rod so that it touches the
pith-ball.
…slide…
Charged Polystyrene Rod

End of
copper
rod

Describe how the pith-ball and copper rod interact. (The interaction might not be simple: if it isn’t,
focus on the first interaction that happens. Alternatively, you might be able to make the interaction
simpler by increasing the distance from the pith-ball to the end of the copper rod from the 3 mm
mentioned above.) What does their interaction tell you about the movement of charge in the
copper rod? Explain. [3]

4
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

We have just seen that charge that is put in one place doesn’t have to stay there indefinitely. In
particular, you have shown that charge can move along the copper rod. Substances that allow the free
movement of charge are called conductors. For example, the pith–ball has a conductive coating that
allows charge to move onto the pith-ball. 2

You have an acrylic rod (transparent). Try the same thing with the acrylic rod that you have just done
with the copper rod. Put the uncharged acrylic rod on its wooden stands. Slide one end of the rod into
the chamber so that the end of the rod is 2 or 3 mm from the pith-ball. Charge the polystyrene rod
again with PVC. As before, touch the charged polystyrene rod to the part of the acrylic rod that
protrudes from the chamber. Is there any effect on the pith-ball? What does this tell you about the
charge at the tip of acrylic rod? [1] Substances that don’t allow any movement are called insulators.

Let’s develop this a little more. I’d like you to repeat the previous activity with a charged polystyrene
rod, copper rod & pith-ball. This time, touch the copper rod with your finger while sliding/touching the
copper rod with the charged polystyrene rod. Explain why nothing happens to the pith-ball when
you touch the copper rod. [2] We describe this by saying that a charged conductor is discharged (or
just ‘loses its charge’) when is touched with another conductor. (In this case, the ‘other conductor’ is
your finger.)

The interaction between charged objects and uncharged objects is very common but is harder to
explain. (Actually, much of what follows in this lab is designed to let you address this question.) Put a
negatively charged rod on the rotating stand. Hold the nail close to it. Say how the negatively
charged rod interacts with the uncharged nail. [1] Charged objects are attracted to other charged
objects that have a different state-of-charge. But you have just seen that a negatively charged rod will
attract an object that isn’t charged. What does your observation suggest to you about the presence
of any type of charge inside the uncharged nail? [1] Be careful about this. We obviously can’t say
that “the uncharged nail is positively charged”. How can we avoid saying this but still explain the
interaction? [2] (Hint: It might help to describe charged regions of the nail rather than saying that the
whole nail has any particular charge.)

Now put a positively charged rod on the stand. Say how the positively charged rod interacts with the
nail. [1] What does your observation suggest to you about the presence of any type of charge
inside the uncharged nail? [1]

Check that the pith-ball is hanging freely in the chamber. Point the copper rod at the pith-ball as before
but now move the rod a bit further into the chamber so that the end of the copper rod touches the
hanging pith ball. Charge a polystyrene rod with PVC. As before, gently touch/slide the charged
polystyrene rod against the end of the copper rod that protrudes from the chamber. Be gentle and
remember that no pressure on the polystyrene rod is needed. Without touching the copper rod, use its
stand to slide the copper rod out of the chamber.

You’ll be drawing a diagram in your report that will include a hanging pith ball, a charged rod and a
nail. Please begin the diagram by drawing the hanging pith ball. (Don’t include the copper rod used to

2
Since we can’t observe sub-atomic particles with this apparatus, we can’t say if one region of charge moves or if the other
stays fixed in place. That is fine for now. I hope that you notice that the movement of either type of charge can be used to
explain that a region of charge moves.

5
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

charge it.) Include a (single) plus or minus sign in your diagram to indicate the charged region in
the pith-ball. [1]

Charged
Hanging rod
pith-ball

Put the (uncharged) nail on the wooden stand. Without touching the nail against the pith-ball or
without touching the nail with your hand, slide the nail into the chamber and point it at the pith-ball.
Keep the nail about 4mm from the pith-ball. (The grid on the bottom of the chamber is 2mm by 2mm.)
Allow the pith-ball to come to rest.

Charge a polystyrene rod with the sheet of PVC. Hold the charged polystyrene rod above and close to
(but not touching) the part of the nail that protrudes from the chamber. (In the diagram below, notice
that the charged rod overlaps less than half of the nail.) I’m only drawing a single sign in the rod but
you probably rubbed a few inches of the polystyrene rod so that the charged region of the rod is
probably a few inches long.

Hanging
pith-ball Charged rod

What is the effect on the pith-ball? [1] You may have to repeat this part several times to get
consistent results. It is easy either not to charge the pith-ball, to touch the copper rod while sliding it out
of the chamber or get the nail too close to the charged pith ball. Doing any of these, will change the
conditions of this experiment so that it will be difficult to explain what is happening.

Ask your TA to check this last result

6
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

What does the effect on the pith-ball tell you about the type of charge at the tip of the nail?
Include the nail and polystyrene rod in the diagram in your report. Draw a single plus or minus
sign to denote the type charged region near the tip of the nail. [1]
Previously in this lab, you put a positively charged rod on a rotating stand and brought an uncharged
nail near. You noticed attraction between the positively charged rod and the nail. From this observation,
I hope that you inferred that a region of negative charge must have appeared in the nail to account for
the attraction. In this case, we have also brought a positively charged rod close to an uncharged nail. If
this causes a region of negative charge to appear then where can the region of negative charge be?
Draw a single minus sign on the diagram in your report to denote where you think the region of
negative charge is. [1]
Now take the charged rod away from the nail. Say how the pith-ball behaves long after the charged
rod has been taken away? [1] (You will explain this later.)

Now let’s return to explaining the attraction between the uncharged nail and a positively charged rod.
We suppose that when a positively charged rod is very far from a nail, no (large) region of charge
appears in the nail.

Position of positively
charged rod
Now suppose that the rod is brought close to the nail. Do any charged regions appear? Copy the
diagram below into your report. Denote the charged region(s) with two (or fewer) algebraic signs.
[2]

Position of positively
charged rod
Ask your TA to check the previous answer before you go further
Now we can think about how charge in the rod interacts with the charge in the nail. To begin, there is a
very important observation to be kept in mind. At the beginning of this lab, you picked up pieces of
paper with a charged rod. Does the distance between charged objects affect the magnitude of
electrostatic interactions between them? What relevant evidence have you seen? [2] We return to
the case of the polystyrene rod & (nearby) nail in the diagram above. The positive charge that is fixed
in the polystyrene rod will interact with any charge that is induced in the nail. Compare the forces
between the positive charge in the polystyrene rod and;

• positive charge in the nail

• negative charge in the nail

Say if the force is attractive or repulsive in each case. Then compare the magnitudes of the two
forces. Explain. [4]

7
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Draw a copy of the diagram below in your report. You will draw two force vectors on the
diagram. Under the label �𝑭𝑭⃗𝑹𝑹 on 𝑷𝑷 , draw a force vector that represents the force exerted by the rod
on the positively charged region in the nail. Above the label 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑁𝑁 , draw another force vector
that represents the force exerted by the rod on the negatively charged region in the nail. [2]

𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑃𝑃

𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑁𝑁

R: positively charged rod

P: positive charge in the nail
N: negative charge in the nail

Now you are in a position to explain the interaction of charged and uncharged objects. Explain how a
positively charged rod can attract an uncharged nail. [3] (Hint: It might help if you consider two
things separately. First describe what the charge on the rod does to the nail. Second, consider forces
between the charge on the rod and any charged regions that have appeared in the nail.) How will your
explanation differ when a rod with negative charge attracts an uncharged nail? [1]

Suppose that the charged rod has caused regions of positive and negative charge to appear in a nail.
Why won’t the differently charged regions move towards each other? [1] Now suppose that the
charged rod is taken away. What will happen to the charged regions in the nail? [1]

We postponed explaining what happened to a hanging pith-ball long after a charged rod was taken
away from a nail that was pointed at the pith-ball. It is now possible to explain that observation.
Explain what happened to charged regions in the nail when the charged rod was taken away
from the nail. Explain the effect on the pith-ball. [2]

Notice that the interaction of charged and uncharged objects was explained by using the two kinds of
charge that had already been introduced. It wasn’t explained by introducing even more fundamental
features into the theory (such as introducing a third kind of charge). The fact that we can do this is a
characteristic of a good physical theory: a good theory explains many observations using a small
number of fundamental statements.

Suppose that someone knows about two states-of-charge that you have called ‘positive’ and ‘negative’.
They also know that objects that have the same state-of-charge interact by repelling. You want to
convince this person that uncharged objects don’t have a third kind of charge. How would you
show this to them? [2] (Your explanation needs to show this physically using apparatus in this lab.
Hint; you can imagine that you have two uncharged nails if you want.)

8
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Tear small pieces off the piece of aluminum foil and put them on the bench. The aluminum isn’t
charged by being torn up! Put a negative charge on a polystyrene rod. Hold the rod over the pieces of
aluminum. Explain why the foil is attracted (at first) by the charged rod. Consider any charge that
exists in the neutral foil. [4] (Hint: It might help to recall that aluminum is a metal and charge can
separate in it. You will have to think about the interaction between any charge that has separated in the
aluminum and the charge on the charged rod.) Would a positively charged rod attract the foil too?
Why? [2]

Now explain the repulsion of some pieces of aluminum after they hit the charged rod. (If you didn’t
notice any repulsion, then tear up smaller pieces of foil.) Recall that rubbing the rod charges the surface
of the rod. Why are small pieces of aluminum repelled by the charged rod after they have touched
it? [2]
Remember leave the apparatus as it was when you arrived.
Ask your TA to check your apparatus before you turn in your reports.
Throw away torn bits of paper and aluminum foil.

9
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

10
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

REPORT
NAME:___________________________ Course & Section: __________________
Feel free to draft your answers in pencil but remember that the report to be given to your TA must be in
pen.

Write down what you see happening after tearing off small pieces of paper & bringing the rod near
them.

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

Is the interaction between a piece of paper and the rod, stronger than the gravitational interaction
between the piece of paper and the Earth? Explain why/why not.

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Are pieces of paper picked up by parts of the rod that weren’t rubbed?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

Might it be possible to explain the interaction of the rod and pieces of paper as a gravitational
interaction? Please explain.

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

What do you see happening? Is repulsion involved? (There is no need for an explanation at the
moment.)

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

… fill in the following:

Two rods are made of substance X. Both are rubbed with substance Y and then interact by

________________ each other if either of them is free to move. [1]

11
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

… fill in the following:

One polystyrene rod is rubbed with acetate cloth and another polystyrene rod is rubbed with

______________ cloth. The rods ________________ each other if either of them is free to move. [1]

… fill in the following:

Two rods are made of polystyrene. One is rubbed with ______________ cloth and the

other is rubbed with PVC. The rods will ________________ each other if either of them is free to
move.
[1]
Is one state-of-charge (or ‘one type of charge’) sufficient to explain your observations? Explain. Use
observations that you have made in this lab to support your answer.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________ [4]

Describe how the pith-ball and copper rod interact. What does their interaction tell you about the
movement of charge in the copper rod? Explain.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[3]

Is there any effect on the pith-ball? What does this tell you about the charge at the tip of acrylic rod?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

12
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Explain why nothing happens to the pith-ball when you touch the copper rod.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Say how the negatively charged rod interacts with the uncharged nail.

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

What does your observation suggest to you about the presence of any type of charge inside the
uncharged nail?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

How can we avoid saying this but still explain the interaction?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Say how the positively charged rod interacts with the nail.

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

What does your observation suggest to you about the presence of any type of charge inside the
uncharged nail?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

13
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Charged
Hanging rod
pith-ball

Include a (single) plus or minus sign in your diagram to indicate the charged region in the pith-ball. [1]

What is the effect on the pith-ball?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

What does the effect on the pith-ball tell you about the type of charge at the tip of the nail? Draw a
single plus or minus sign (on the diagram above) to denote the type charged region near the tip of the
nail.

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

…where can the region of negative charge be? Draw a single plus or minus sign (on the diagram above)
to denote where you think the region of negative charge is.

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

Now take the charged rod away from the nail. Say how the pith-ball behaves long after the charged rod
has been taken away? (You will explain this later.)

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

14
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Now suppose that the rod is brought close to the nail. Do any charged regions appear? Denote them
with two (or fewer) algebraic signs on the following diagram.

Position of positively
charged rod
[2]
Does the distance between charged objects affect the magnitude of electrostatic interactions between
them? What relevant evidence have you seen?

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Compare the forces between the positive charge in the rod and;

• positive charge in the nail

• negative charge in the nail

(Say if the force is attractive or repulsive in each case. Then compare the magnitudes of the two forces,
giving a reason for your answer.)

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[4]

15
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

You will draw two force vectors on the (following) diagram. Under the label 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑃𝑃 , draw a force
vector that represents the force exerted by the rod on the positively charged region in the nail. Above
the label 𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑁𝑁 , draw another force vector that represents the force exerted by the rod on the
negatively charged region in the nail. [2]

𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑃𝑃

𝐹𝐹⃗𝑅𝑅 on 𝑁𝑁

R: positively charged rod

P: positive charge in the nail
N: negative charge in the nail

Explain how a positively charged rod can attract an uncharged nail.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[3]

How will your explanation differ when a rod with negative charge attracts an uncharged nail?

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Why won’t the differently charged regions move towards each other?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

16
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Now suppose that the charged rod is taken away. What will happen to the charged regions in the nail?

________________________________________________________________________________[1]

Explain what happened to charge in the nail when the charged rod was taken away from the nail.
Explain the effect on the pith-ball.

___________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

You want to convince this person that uncharged objects don’t have a third kind of charge. How would
you show this to them? (Your explanation needs to show this physically using apparatus in this lab.)

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Explain why the foil is attracted (at first) by the charged rod. Consider any charge that exists in the
neutral foil.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[4]

17
 Electrostatics I
Paul Mac Alevey © Fall 2019

Would a positively charged rod attract the foil too? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

Why are some small pieces of aluminum repelled by the charged rod after they have touched it?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________[2]

18