Question

During an experiment, you observe that two charged balloons repel each other. When you bring a charged plastic pipe in between the two charged balloons, both balloons are repelled from the pipe. What is the best conclusion statement about the balloons and pipe, based on the observations?

a. They are oppositely charged, which is why they repel each other.
b. They are similarly charged, which is why they repel each other.
c. The balloons transferred charge to the pipe, making the pipe repel the balloons.
d. They must be different colors, which is why they repel each other.

Answer 1

The two balloons and the plastic pipe are similarly charged, which is why they repel each other.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best conclusion statement about the balloons and pipe, based on the observations, is that they are similarly charged, which is why they repel each other.

When two charged objects repel each other, it indicates that they have the same type of charge. In this case, both balloons repel each other, indicating that they have the same charge.

When the charged plastic pipe is brought in between the balloons, both balloons are repelled from the pipe. This further confirms that the balloons and pipe have the same charge.

Therefore, based on the observations, the best conclusion is that the balloons and pipe are similarly charged, which is why they repel each other.