Define electric charge.
A fundamental property of matter that governs electromagnetic interactions, causing attraction or repulsion.
What does it mean for charge to be 'quantized'?
Charge comes in discrete units, integer multiples of the elementary charge *e* ($e = 1.602 imes 10^{-19}$ C).
Define 'grounding' in the context of electrostatics.
Electrically connecting a charged object to a significantly larger, approximately neutral system (like the Earth).
What is 'polarization' in the context of electric charge?
A charged object induces a charge separation in a neutral object without direct contact.
Define 'net charge'.
The total amount of electric charge (positive or negative) present in an object or system.
What are the steps involved in charging an object by friction?
1. Rub two neutral objects together. 2. Electrons transfer from one object to the other. 3. One object becomes positively charged, and the other becomes negatively charged.
What are the steps involved in charging an object by contact (conduction)?
1. Bring a charged object into contact with a neutral object. 2. Charge is transferred between the objects. 3. The objects end up with the same type of charge.
What are the steps involved in charging a neutral metal sphere negatively by induction using a positively charged rod?
1. Bring the positively charged rod near the sphere (polarization). 2. Ground the sphere, allowing electrons to flow from the ground to the sphere. 3. Remove the ground connection. 4. Remove the rod; the sphere is now negatively charged.
Describe the process of charge redistribution when a positively charged rod is brought near a neutral metal sphere.
1. The positively charged rod is brought near the neutral sphere. 2. Electrons in the sphere migrate towards the rod. 3. The side of the sphere near the rod becomes negatively charged, and the opposite side becomes positively charged.
What are the steps involved in grounding a positively charged metal sphere?
1. Connect the positively charged sphere to the ground. 2. Electrons flow from the Earth to the sphere. 3. The sphere becomes neutralized.
What is the effect of rubbing a balloon on hair?
Electrons are transferred from the hair to the balloon (or vice versa), charging the balloon and hair oppositely.
What is the effect of bringing a charged rod near a neutral piece of paper?
Polarization occurs in the paper, with the side closest to the rod becoming oppositely charged, leading to attraction.
What is the effect of grounding a positively charged metal sphere?
Electrons flow from the ground to the sphere, neutralizing the sphere.
What is the effect of bringing a positively charged rod near a neutral metal sphere without touching it, then grounding the sphere while the rod is near?
Electrons flow from the ground to the sphere, and when the ground is removed, the sphere is left with a net negative charge.
What happens when a system is isolated and no charge is transferred to or from it?
The net charge of the system remains constant.
