Why does a plastic ruler rubbed on hair loses electrons and gets a positive charge?
The reason the plastic ruler gets a positive charge is because it has the least desire for electrons compared to hair? Does this depend on the material or is just random?
Please explain briefly. Thank you.
The reason the plastic ruler gets a positive charge is because it has the least desire for electrons compared to hair? Does this depend on the material or is just random?
Please explain briefly. Thank you.
1 Answer
Jun 8, 2018
This is because of the weak electrostatic force of attraction between the electrons and positively charged nucleus.
Explanation:
This weak electrostatic force of attraction makes it easy for a material to lose electrons with friction.
It does depend on the material. For instance, synthetic material are more likely to gain electrons than natural materials. Eg: if you rub a pyrex glass rod against wool, wool will lose electrons to the glass rod. Thus making the wool positively charged and the glass rod negatively charged.
