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Explain what happens in the diagram with the metal leaf and the acetate strip in induction charges.

User Bjorsig
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Final answer:

Induction charging involves a charged object inducing a charge in a neutral object without direct contact. The process in the diagram includes polarizing a metal sphere, grounding it to receive electrons, and severing the ground before removing the inducing charge, leaving the sphere with an excess charge. Electrostatic repulsion in an electroscope also demonstrates the presence of charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Induction Charging with a Metal Leaf and Acetate Strip

When discussing induction charges in the context of a metal leaf and acetate strip, we are dealing with the concept of charging by induction.

This process involves a charged object inducing a charge in a nearby neutral object without direct contact, which is fundamental in the field of electrostatics.

Let's take a closer step-by-step look at what happens in the diagram described:

A charged acetate strip is brought close to a neutral metal sphere, polarizing the sphere; negatively charged electrons in the sphere are attracted towards the acetate strip, while the positive charges are repelled.

The metal sphere is then grounded, allowing some electrons from the earth to move into the sphere through the ground wire.

Before the charged acetate strip is taken away, the ground connection is severed.

This leaves the metal sphere with an excess of electrons, giving it a net negative charge, which is the opposite charge of the acetate strip.

The acetate strip is then removed, and the metal sphere retains the negative charge, having been charged by induction.

Similarly, an electroscope can detect the presence of a charge through electrostatic repulsion. A charged rod brought close to the electroscope causes a redistribution of charge within the electroscope, causing the leaves to repel each other and indicate the presence of charge.

Throughout this process, the substance used for induction (acetate strip) does not lose any of its own charge.

User Michael Wiles
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