Can a Charged Body Attract an Uncharged Body?
Yes, a charged body can attract an uncharged body. This phenomenon occurs due to the principles of electrostatics, which govern how charged objects interact with other objects, whether they are charged or uncharged.
Let’s break down how and why this happens.
How Does a Charged Body Attract an Uncharged Body?
1. Induced Charges
When a charged object is brought near an uncharged body, it can cause a redistribution of charges inside the uncharged body. This is known as electrostatic induction.
- The positive or negative charges in the uncharged body will rearrange themselves due to the presence of the nearby charged object.
- For example, if the charged body is positive, it will induce a negative charge on the near side of the uncharged body, and a positive charge on the far side. The opposite charges (negative near the charged body) will be attracted to the charged object.
2. Attraction Between Opposite Charges
- The negative charges in the uncharged body will be attracted to the positive charges on the charged body, causing an overall attraction.
- Even though the uncharged body has no net charge, it can still experience a force because of the induced charges, leading to an attraction.
Example of Charged and Uncharged Bodies
1. Charged Balloon and Uncharged Paper Pieces
- If you rub a balloon on your hair, it becomes charged.
- If you bring this charged balloon close to small pieces of uncharged paper, the balloon will attract the paper, even though the paper is not charged.
2. Charged Comb and Uncharged Objects
- When a plastic comb is rubbed on a piece of wool or hair (giving it a negative charge), and you bring the comb near small uncharged pieces of paper, it will attract the paper. The paper becomes induced with opposite charges and experiences an attractive force.
Conclusion
Yes, a charged body can attract an uncharged body. This happens due to electrostatic induction, where the presence of a charged body causes the redistribution of charges in the uncharged body, leading to an attraction between them. Even without an overall charge, the uncharged body can still be influenced by the charged body.
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