A charge rod is brought near a pile of tiny plastic sphere. Some of the spheres are attracted to the rod, but as they touch the rod, they are flung into different directions. Explain.

Thanks :)

When a charge rod is brought near a pile of tiny plastic spheres, some of the spheres may be attracted to the rod. This happens because the charge rod has acquired an electric charge, either positive or negative. Like charges repel each other, so if the rod has a positive charge, the spheres will be negatively charged. Conversely, if the rod has a negative charge, the spheres will be positively charged. In either case, the spheres are attracted to the opposite charge on the rod.

Now, as the charged spheres touch the rod, they experience a phenomenon called "charge induction." When the spheres come into contact with the charge rod, they momentarily transfer some of their charge to the rod due to the contact. This charge transfer causes the spheres to lose their charge and become neutral again.

However, as the spheres lose their charge, they also lose their attraction to the rod. At the same time, the repulsive force between the similarly charged spheres becomes dominant. This force causes the spheres to be flung in various directions away from the rod. The extent and direction of the flinging depends on the amount and initial distribution of charge on the spheres.

So, in summary, when a charged rod is brought near a pile of tiny plastic spheres, the spheres are attracted to the rod due to the opposite charges. However, upon contact, the spheres transfer their charge to the rod and lose their attraction to it. The repulsive force between the similarly charged spheres then causes them to be flung in different directions.