A scientist experiments on two different pairs of objects. During the experiment, the objects in one of the pairs are brought into contact with each other; the objects in the other pair are brought close together, but they do not touch. The scientist then compares the number of electrons in each object, as recorded in the following.
Object A- is the same
Object B- is the same
Object C- increases
Object D- decreases
which pair of objects could have been charged by friction and which pair could have been charged by induction? Please explain.
To determine which pair of objects could have been charged by friction and which pair could have been charged by induction, we need to understand the processes of charging by friction and charging by induction.
Charging by friction occurs when two objects rub against each other, and electrons from one object are transferred to the other. This transfer of electrons leads to the objects acquiring opposite charges, one positive and one negative. However, it is important to note that the total number of electrons in the system remains the same, as electrons are simply being transferred between the objects.
Charging by induction, on the other hand, occurs when a charged object is brought close to a neutral object without actually touching it. The presence of the charged object induces a redistribution of electrons within the neutral object, resulting in one side becoming positively charged and the other side becoming negatively charged.
Now, let's analyze the information provided in the question:
- Object A and Object B have the same number of electrons. This suggests that they were either both charged by friction or both remain neutral.
- Object C has an increased number of electrons. This indicates that it has gained electrons, becoming negatively charged. This suggests that Object C could have been charged by friction, as it gained electrons through contact with another object.
- Object D has a decreased number of electrons. This suggests that it has lost electrons, becoming positively charged. Since Object D did not come into physical contact with another object, it indicates that it could have been charged by induction. The presence of a charged object could have induced the redistribution of electrons in Object D, causing electrons to be attracted or repelled without actually touching.
Therefore, based on the given information, we can deduce that one pair of objects (Object A and Object B) could have remained neutral or charged by friction, while the other pair (Object C and Object D) could have been charged by friction and charged by induction, respectively.