1. CE Predict/Explain An electrically neutral object is given a positive charge.

Question

1. CE Predict/Explain An electrically neutral object is given a positive charge. (a) In principle, does the object's mass increase, decrease, or stay the same as a result of being charged? (b) Choose the best explanation from among the following: I. To give the object a positive charge we must remove some of its electrons; this will reduce its mass. II. Since electric charges have mass, giving the object a positive charge will increase its mass. III. Charge is conserved, and therefore the mass of the object will remain the same.

Explanation / Answer

An electrically neutral object has equal number of positive and negative charges. Positive charges are tightly held by nucleus whereas electrons (negatively charged species) are loosely bound by the nucleus. So it always easier to add or remove electrons rather than adding or removing the positively charged species .

Hence, an object turns positively charged if we remove atleast a single electron from the neutral object, which results in decrease of mass of the object.

Note : mass of 1 electron = 9.1 * 10-31Kg

Therefore option (1) is correct “To give the object a positive charge we must remove some of its electrons ; this will reduce its mass”

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