Most objects are electrically neutral, which means that they have an equal number of positive and negative charges. In order to charge an object, one has to alter the charge balance of positive and negative charges. There are three ways to do it: friction, conduction and induction.
The charging by friction process involves rubbing of one particle on another resulting in electrons moving from one surface to another. This method is useful for charging insulators.
Rubbing a neutral rod with a neutral piece of cloth can result in them becoming charged
The charging by conduction process involves touching of a charged particle to a conductive material. This way, the charges are transferred from the charged material to the conductor. This method is useful for charging conductors.
In our example above, 3 electrons went to A creating a situation where B has a positive charge with 3 protons.
Keep in mind that spheres A and B could have billions and billions of electrons. The reason that sphere A is charged now is because it has an excess of 3 electrons although this is a small charge. By the same token, the reason sphere B is charged is because it has 3 more protons now than electrons.
Charging by induction and grounding Use only 1 sphere this time and induce a charge again with a charged rod. Then, put your finger where the electrons are.
When you touch the metal with your finger, electrons leave the sphere by means of your finger and enter the ground.
When we allow charges or electricity to leave a conductor by touching it, we are grounding the conductor.
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