Question

You rub a clear plastic pen with wool, and observe that a strip of invisible tape is attracted to the pen. Assuming that the pen has a net negative charge, which of the following could be true? Select all that apply. (1) The tape might be negatively charged. (2) The tape might be positively charged. (3) The tape might be uncharged. (4) There is not enough information to conclude anything.

Short answer

2

Step-by-step solution

Significance of the law of attraction

The law of attraction states that the like charges repel and the unlike charges attract each other.

Moreover, an object which is neutral also develops charge when it comes to a charged object.

Determination of the charge on the tape

From the law of attraction, as the plastic pen gets attracted to the invisible tape while rubbing, it shows that the charges in both the objects are different. And, as the pen is given as negatively charged, then it is clear that the tape will be having a positive charge on it.

Statement 1 states the tape is negatively charged. However, this option is incorrect as according to the law of attraction, as the pen is negatively charged, then it can only attract a positively charged object that is the tape.

Statement 3 states that the tape is uncharged. This statement is incorrect as by rubbing the tape and the pen, both will get some amount of charge.

Statement 4 states that there is not enough information to conclude anything. However, this statement is wrong as enough information is given such as the pen is rubbed and got negatively charged and it is attached to the tape which is positively charged as both the pen and the tape got attached.

Statement 2 states that the tape is positively charged. This statement is true as the pen is negatively charged and it got attached with the tape, so the tape might be positively charged, otherwise, it may have not gotten attached.

Thus, statement 2 is correct.