Question

Describe a theory that explains how the electric force occurs without contact. Give an everyday analogy. (Not the tape phenomenon.)

Answer 1

A force that acts on an object without physically coming in contact with it, is called as a non contact force.

Electric forces are an example of non contact forces. They are exerted by charged bodies. The charged bodies are said to posses an invisible electric field. And it is the interaction of these electric fields that leads to bodies experiencing the electric forces without being in physical contact with each other.

As an analogy we will deal with comb and pieces of paper. If we comb our hair when it is dry and bring it near pieces of paper, then the comb will attract the pieces of paper. But if you just simply bring a comb without rubbing it then there is no effect on the pieces of paper. What actually happens here is that, before rubbing the comb, it is electrically neutral, so there is no effect on the pieces of paper, but when we rub it through our dry hair, then the act of rubbing, electrically charges up the comb, as a result of which, there is generation of electric forces. These forces are then responsible for attracting the bits of paper without coming into contact with them.