Question

Suppose a person carries an excess charge. To maintain their charged status can they be standing on ground wearing just any pair of shoes? How would you discharge them? What are the consequences if they simply walk away?

a) Any shoes work; Discharge by grounding
b) Only insulating shoes work; Discharge by rubbing feet
c) Only conductive shoes work; Discharge by touching a metal object
d) Any shoes work; No consequences if they walk away

Answer 1

To maintain their charged status, a person carrying an excess charge should wear conductive shoes and discharge the charge by touching a metal object that provides a path to the ground. Walking away without discharging the charge can lead to dangerous consequences.

Step-by-step explanation:

To maintain their charged status, a person carrying an excess charge cannot be standing on the ground wearing just any pair of shoes. They need to wear conductive shoes that allow the excess charge to flow through the shoes and make contact with the ground. This is because wearing insulating shoes would prevent the excess charge from being discharged.

To discharge the excess charge, the person can touch a metal object that provides a path to the ground, allowing the excess charge to flow to the ground. By doing so, the person becomes electrically neutral again.

If the person simply walks away without discharging the excess charge, the consequences can be dangerous. Without discharging, the excess charge can accumulate on the person's body, potentially causing a static discharge or an electric shock when they come into contact with a conductive object or another person.