Question

Criticize the following statement: “A positive charge attracts neutral plastic by polarizing the molecules and then attracting the negative side of the molecules.” (“Criticize” means to explain why the given statement is inadequate or incorrect, as well as to correct it.)

Short answer

The positive and negative charged molecules are attracted by the neutral plastic.

Step-by-step solution

Significance of the polarization of molecules

Polarization of molecules occurs when the electric field deforms the cloud of the negatively charged electron around a positively charged nucleus in the opposite direction to the electric field.

Explanation of given statement

Interconnection between two like charges (positive-positive) is repulsive, whereas the interconnection between opposite charges (negative-positive) is attractive. In the case of a neutral object, any charge, whether positive or negative, always has attractive interconnection with a neutral object.

A positively charged particle does not attract the plastic molecules. Instead, the positive charge creates the plastic molecules due to the action of the electric field. However, the plastics mainly behave like a dipole and are attracted to the positive charge that exerts an attractive force.

Thus, the positive charge and negative charge of the molecule attract the neutral plastic by polarizing the molecules.