Can a charged body attract an uncharged body?
Introduction
Yes, a charged body can attract an uncharged body. This phenomenon is known as electrostatic attraction.
Explanation
When a charged object is brought close to an uncharged object, the charged object creates an electric field around itself. This electric field exerts a force on the uncharged object, causing it to move towards the charged object. This force is known as the electrostatic force.
The electrostatic force is proportional to the product of the charges on the two objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, the closer the objects are to each other, the stronger the electrostatic force will be.
Examples
There are several examples of electrostatic attraction in everyday life. Some of them are:
- When you rub a balloon against your hair, the balloon becomes charged. The charged balloon can then attract uncharged objects, such as small pieces of paper or hair.
- When you touch a metal doorknob after walking on a carpet, you can sometimes feel a shock. This shock is caused by the electrostatic attraction between the charged carpet and the uncharged metal doorknob.
- Lightning is also an example of electrostatic attraction. Lightning occurs when there is a buildup of charge in the atmosphere, which then attracts an opposite charge on the ground.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a charged body can attract an uncharged body through electrostatic attraction. This phenomenon is caused by the electric field created by the charged object, which exerts a force on the uncharged object. There are several examples of electrostatic attraction in everyday life, including rubbing a balloon against your hair and lightning.