The pictures show four electrically charged items.



If a student rubs a glass rod with a piece of silk, giving the rod a positive charge, which of the items will the rod attract?

Responses

Balloon 1 and Plastic sheet 2
Balloon 1 and Plastic sheet 2

Plastic sheet 1, only
Plastic sheet 1, only

Balloon 2 and Plastic sheet 1
Balloon 2 and Plastic sheet 1

Balloon 1, only
Balloon 1, only

1 answer

To determine which items will be attracted to a positively charged glass rod, we need to consider the nature of the charges involved.

  1. Charged Objects:

    • A positively charged glass rod will attract objects that have a negative charge or are neutral, due to the process of polarization (where neutral objects become polarized in the presence of a charged object).
  2. Common Objects:

    • Balloons can be negatively charged if they have been rubbed against a material (like hair).
    • Plastic sheets are often negatively charged when rubbed against certain materials.

Based on this understanding, if the glass rod has a positive charge, it will attract negatively charged objects.

Possible responses:

  • Balloon 1 and Plastic sheet 2: If either of these is negatively charged, they will be attracted.
  • Plastic sheet 1, only: If this is negatively charged, it will be attracted.
  • Balloon 2 and Plastic sheet 1: Again, if either is negatively charged, they will attract.
  • Balloon 1, only: If this is negatively charged, it will attract.

The exact answer depends on the specific charges of the items mentioned (balloon 1, balloon 2, plastic sheet 1, and plastic sheet 2). If, for example, balloon 1 is negatively charged and the other items are neutral or positively charged, then the answer would be "Balloon 1, only."

Without specific information on the charges of each item, the best answer is the one that indicates that the positively charged rod attracts negatively charged items. Thus, if you have confirmation of the charges of each item, that will guide your choice of response.