Why does a balloon stick to a wall after rubbing it on your hair?
AThe balloon becomes magnetic
BRubbing creates new charges on the balloon
CThe balloon gains extra electrons and attracts the neutral wall by polarizing it
DThe balloon becomes lighter from rubbing
Rubbing transfers electrons from your hair to the balloon, making it negatively charged. The charged balloon then polarizes the neutral wall (pushes wall electrons slightly away), creating a local positive region on the wall surface that attracts the balloon.
Question 2 True / False
An object that has lost electrons has a net positive charge.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
When electrons are removed, the object has more protons than electrons, giving it a net positive charge.
Question 3 Short Answer
What happens when two negatively charged objects are brought close together?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: They repel each other, because like charges repel.
The fundamental rule of electric charge: like charges (positive-positive or negative-negative) repel, while opposite charges (positive-negative) attract.