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Charging by Induction
Lesson Notes
Focus Questions:
• What is charging by induction and how does it occur?
• How can the results of charging by induction be predicted and explained?
What is Charging by Induction?
• A process of charging a neutral object.
• Involves bringing a charged object (A) near to a neutral object (X).
• While A is held near Object X, a third object (G) is touched to Object X.
• Then Object G is pulled away and Object X is observed to be charged.
The Result: the charge that Object X acquires is the opposite of the charge that Object A.
How Does Charging by InductionWork?
The process takes place in two steps.
Example 1: Consider using a + balloon to charge a neutral conducting sphere by induction.
The + balloon forces e-s in When touched by the hand (ground),
the sphere to move from e-s move from the hand into the
the right side to the left side sphere. The sphere acquires a -
of the sphere. charge.
Example 2: Consider using a - balloon to charge a neutral conducting sphere by induction.
The + balloon forces e-s in When touched by the hand
the sphere to move from (ground), e-s in the sphere
the right side to the left side move to the hand. The sphere
of the sphere. acquires a + charge.
Example 3: Use a negative foam plate to charge a neutral aluminum plate by induction.
The negative foam plate When touched by ground (hand),
forces e-s to move from the e-s move from the pie tin into the
bottom to the top of the pie hand. The pie tin is now
tin. positively-charged.
Example 4: Use a negative balloon to charge a neutral, two-can system.
The negative balloon forces When the cans are separated, the
e-s in Can X to move away two cans each exhibit a charge.
from the balloon into Can Y. Can Y is acting as the ground in
this example.
Role of the Ground
A ground is an object that serves as a source of or a sink for electrons. Think of a ground
as being either an electron faucet or an electron drain.
Ground acts as a source of electrons. Ground acts as a sink for electrons.