Question

Can you charge a piece of plastic by induction? Explain, using diagram. Compare with the amount of charging obtained when you charge a piece of metal by induction.

Short answer

The piece of plastic would not be charged by the induction process.

The amount of charging by the induction method for a piece of metal is more than charging a piece of plastic.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the charging by induction

In this problem, the concept of charging a plastic piece with the help of the induction phenomenon is discussed. This type of charging occurs without any physical contact between a charged object and an uncharged object.

Analysis of whether a piece of plastic can be charged by induction or not

A piece of plastic comes under the category of insulating material and insulators are not able to move/flow electric charge through it. So the piece of plastic generally cannot be charged by the induction method.

A schematic of charging a metallic conductor piece by induction method is represented below.

Here, A is the metal sphere and B is the plastic rod. And E and F denote the locations of negative and positive charges.

Let us consider a neutral metal sphere and a negatively charged plastic rod. From the above figure, if the negatively charged plastic rod comes closure to the neutral sphere, then separation of charge takes place/ occurs.

The positive charges in the sphere get attracted towards the plastic rod and move to one end of the sphere that is closer to the plastic rod.

Thus, the piece of plastic would not be charged by the induction process.

Comparison of the amount of charging obtained when charging a piece of metal comparison to a piece of plastic by induction

The charging process of a type of neutral object/ piece by bringing closure to another type of charged object without any direct contact refers to induction charging. To understand the charging of a piece of plastic or a piece of metal, the nature of the conductor and polarization process is important.

As a piece of plastic is an insulator, whereas a piece of metal is a conductor, the amount of charging obtained by induction for a piece of metal is more than the amount of charging of a piece of plastic by the induction process.

Thus, the amount of charging by the induction method for a piece of metal is more than charging a piece of plastic.