Methods of Charging.

A body can be charged by following methods :

(1) Charging By friction :

In friction when two bodies are rubbed together, electrons are transferred from one body to the other.

As a result of this one body becomes positively charged while the other negatively charged, e.g., when a glass rod is rubbed with silk, the rod becomes positively
charged while the silk negatively.

However, ebonite on rubbing with wool becomes negatively charged making the wool positively charged.

Clouds also become charged by friction.

In charging by friction in accordance with conservation of charge, both positive and negative charges in equal amounts appear simultaneously due to transfer of electrons from one body to the other.

(2) Charging By electrostatic induction :

If a charged body is brought near an uncharged body, the charged body will attract opposite charge and repel similar charge present in the uncharged body.

As a result of this one side of neutral body (closer to charged body) becomes oppositely charged while the other is similarly charged.

This process is called electrostatic induction.

 

Inducting body neither gains nor loses charge.

Induced charge can be lesser or equal to inducing charge (but never greater) and its maximum value is given by where Q is the inducing charge and K is the dielectric constant of the material of the uncharged body. Dielectric constant of different media are shown below

 

Dielectric constant of an insulator can not be

For metals in electrostatics and so i.e. in metals induced charge is equal and opposite to inducing charge.

(3) Charging by conduction :

Take two conductors, one charged and other uncharged. Bring the conductors in contact with each other.

The charge (whether or ) under its own repulsion will spread over both the conductors. Thus the conductors will be charged with the same sign.

This is called as charging by conduction (through contact).

 

Electroscope.

It is a simple apparatus with which the presence of electric charge on a body is detected (see figure).

When metal knob is touched with a charged body, some charge is transferred to the gold leaves, which then diverges due to repulsion.

The separation gives a rough idea of the amount of charge on the body.

If a charged body brought near a charged electroscope the leaves will further diverge.

If the charge on body is similar to that on electroscope and will usually converge if opposite.

If the induction effect is strong enough leaves after converging may again diverge.

(1) Uncharged electroscope

 

(2) Charged electroscope