a) For each scenario describe the charged state of each of the pith balls in ter
ID: 3893316 • Letter: A
Question
a) For each scenario describe the charged state of each of the pith balls in terms of
whether it is like or unlike the electrode. Explain your reasoning.
b) Assuming that the electrode is positively charged, describe the electron flows that
occur in each scenario.
c) If the initial charge on the electrode is Q (could be + or -) , what is the net charge of
each of the "systems" below after any charging of the pith balls has taken place:
System I: This system consists of the electrode and both pith balls in scenario 1.
System II: This system consists of the electrode and both pith balls in scenario 2.
System III: This system consists of only the two pith balls in scenario 2.
Explain how you know in each case.
A Wimshurst machine (just like in lab) is used to conduct some electrostatics experiments. In one experiment (scenario 1 below) two identical and initially uncharged pith balls (held on wooden sticks) separately touch one electrode of the machine after it has been charged. Recall that pith balls are covered with a conducting coating such as graphite. In a second experiment (scenario 2) the machine is recharged and the pith balls allowed to discharge so that they are again neutral. Holding the pith balls in contact the experimenter brings them close to one of the charged electrodes, one ball is closer than the other, but doesn't let either ball touch the electrode. Contact between the pith balls is then broken while they are in the vicinity of the electrode.Explanation / Answer
a) scenario 1
pith ball gets the like charge of the electrode but the magnitude may be different(conduction takes place)
scenario 2
if the electrode is -vely charged, then pith ball nearer to the electrode gets +ve charge induced to the face nearer to the electrode and the same amount of the -ve charge passes to the other pith ball and it gets repelled by the -ve charge on the electrode.
b) in scenario 1, pith balls get -ve charge
in scenario 2, pith ball nearer gets +ve charge and the other gets the -ve charge
c) in scenario 1, charge transfer happens till the potential of the bodies which are in contact becomes same
in scenario 2, -Q charge is induced in the pith ball nearer and the +Q charge in the pith ball farther
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