A negatively charged plastic comb is brought close to, but does not touch, a small piece of paper. If the comb and the paper are attracted to each other, the charge

on the paper

The charge on the paper is likely positive. When a negatively charged object is brought close to a neutral object, it can induce a separation of charges in the neutral object. This means that the negatively charged object repels electrons in the neutral object, leaving a net positive charge on the side of the object facing the negative charge. Therefore, the paper would acquire a positive charge and be attracted to the negatively charged comb.

The charge on the paper will be positive. When a negatively charged object, such as a plastic comb, is brought close to a neutral object like a small piece of paper, the negative charges on the comb repel the electrons in the paper, causing them to move away from the comb and toward the opposite side of the paper. This redistribution of charges results in an excess of positive charges on the side of the paper closest to the comb, making the paper positively charged.