Question

In: Physics

It is always told as a fact without explaining the reason. Why do two objects get...

It is always told as a fact without explaining the reason. Why do two objects get charged by rubbing? Why one object get negative charge and other get positive charge?

Solutions

Expert Solution

The effect in which two objects get charged by rubbing and remain charged is called the triboelectric effect,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect

where the root "tribo" means friction in Greek (The Greek word ????? means 'to rub'). Friction is actually unnecessary: contact is enough in principle.

This effect shouldn't be confused with the (Volta or Galvani) "contact potential" between metals which only exists as long as the two metals remain in contact, and especially not with "contact electrification" which was a name of a scientifically incorrect theory of electricity at the end of the 18th century that attempted to overgeneralize the interpretation of the triboelectric effect. "Electrophorus" was a gadget, first produced by Volta, that used the triboelectric effect.

The cause of the triboelectric effect is adhesion - the atoms on the surface literally form chemical bonds. Materials such as fur are ready to lose electrons and become positively charged while the materials such as ebonite or glass gain electrons and become negatively neutral. To get some idea about which atoms are likely to lose or gain electrons, it's useful to know their electronegativity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity#Electronegativities_of_the_elements

The redder atom, the higher electronegativity, and the more likely it is for the atom to gain electrons and become negatively charged. That's especially true for light halogens (fluorine, chlorine) and oxygen. That's partly why glass - with lots of - likes to get negatively charged in the triboelectric effect. Even sulfur (40% of ebonite) has a higher electronegativity than e.g. carbon and hydrogen that are abundant in the fur which is why fur loses electrons and becomes positively charged.

Of course, the actual arrangement of the atoms in the molecules matters, too. So this overview of the periodic table was just an analogy, not a reliable way to find out the results of the triboelectric effect.


Related Solutions

1.Give the reason why sound waves can go around most of objects. 2. Give the reason...
1.Give the reason why sound waves can go around most of objects. 2. Give the reason why most of objects block light waves. 3. From the video, what is the correction about the speed of red light compare with the one of the purple light? 4. Explain why waves going through a larger hole will not spared as much and move forward as going through a smaller hole?
Question: Respond to these 2 posts explaining the reason for your agreement or disagreement or why...
Question: Respond to these 2 posts explaining the reason for your agreement or disagreement or why you thin... Respond to these 2 posts explaining the reason for your agreement or disagreement or why you think the post is important, and/or providing examples of the point(s) made. A couple sentences are acceptable. Post 1: The first step in determining the maximum or minimum value of a quadratic polynomial is to analyze the polynomial and determine if the parabola opens upward or...
The parametric straight line paths of two objects are given. a) do the objects crash (at...
The parametric straight line paths of two objects are given. a) do the objects crash (at the same location at the same time)? If so, at what time? b) do the paths of the objects intersect (at the same point at different times)? If so, how close do they get to each other? c) do the objects and paths miss each other? If so, how close do the objects get to each other and how close do their paths get...
We are told that economy is growing and that such growth benefits all of us. However, what you see is not what you always get.
    We are told that economy is growing and that such growth benefits all of us. However, what you see is not what you always get. Most people are experiencing declining economic security in response to the problems of the global system. Thus, many communities have turned to Local Exchange Systems (LESs) to help regain some control over their economic situations.   Local exchange systems (LESs) come in many forms. They often involve the creation of a local currency,...
Why do phototropic sporangiophores avoid solid objects?
Why do phototropic sporangiophores avoid solid objects?
Do retirees always get hurt more when interest is very low?
Do retirees always get hurt more when interest is very low?
Globalization Exercise   Why do countries export goods? Why do they import goods? The reason is...
Globalization Exercise   Why do countries export goods? Why do they import goods? The reason is to improve what they are not good at or do not have in abundance and to sell what they have in abundance. Using the website found below, complete the exercises listed below.   From the website create a list of the top three exports and imports for these countries:   USA Canada United Kingdom          China Russia   Once you have completed the list, answer...
Greater profits are always better. Do You Agree? Why or Why Not?
Greater profits are always better. Do You Agree? Why or Why Not?
i need the reason about market served in san francisco why i have to get singha...
i need the reason about market served in san francisco why i have to get singha beer target market in san francisco
How do i get the code below to add an element before another without making the...
How do i get the code below to add an element before another without making the array off one element? (javascript) public void addBefore(double element) { itemCount++; double data[] = new double[this.data.length]; if(currentIndex <= itemCount) { if(currentIndex != 0) { for(int index = currentIndex; index >= itemCount; index ++) { data[index] = this.data[index]; } currentIndex--; data[currentIndex] = element; } if(currentIndex == 0) { data[0] = element; currentIndex = 0; } } }
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT