Chapter 32, Problem 33A

If a glass rod that is rubbed with a plastic dry cleaner’s bag acquires a certain change, why does the plastic bag have exactly the same amount of opposite charge?

To determine

To explain: The reason for the plastic bag to have the same amount of opposite charges.

Answer to Problem 33A

Both glass rod and a plastic dry cleaner’s bag share an equal amount of charges.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to the charge conservation principle, an electron is neither created nor destroyed. They are attracted or repelled from one surface to another to conserve the quantity.

When a glass rod is rubbed with a plastic dry cleaner’s bag then friction is applied in between both the surfaces. Due to rubbing, charges present in the outermost shell of atoms are transferred from one surface. But, as no charge or electron can be produced or destroy on its own. Thus, they move from their position to the opposite. But, the amount of charges present on both the surfaces always remains conserved.

Conclusion:

Thus, both the plastic bag and glass rod have the same amount of charged particles but of opposite charge.