Question

If you charge a pocket comb by rubbing it with a silk scarf, how can you determine if the comb is positively or negatively charged?

Answer 1

When a pocket comb is charged by rubbing it with a silk scarf, you can determine its charge by observing its interaction with other objects.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a pocket comb is charged by rubbing it with a silk scarf, you can determine its charge by observing its interaction with other objects. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. So, if the comb repels another comb that has also been charged by rubbing with silk, it means both combs are positively charged. If the comb attracts a plastic rod that has been charged by rubbing with fur, it means the comb is negatively charged because opposite charges attract.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

It is known that like charges tend to repel each other whereas unlike charges tend to attract each other. This means that two positive charges when come closer to each other will repel each other and if a negative charge comes in contact with a positive charge then both of them will attract each other.

Therefore, when you charge a pocket comb by rubbing it with a silk scarf then the scarf will obtain a certain charge. But as we place this silk scarf closer to the comb then if the scarf gets attracted towards the comb then it means opposite charges are present on both comb and the scarf.

But if the scarf and comb repel each other then it means opposite charges are present on them.