Experimental Proof of Electrical Charge

[prace]

Hi,

I have a question about the transfer of electrical charge from object to another. Basically, my professor stated that if you rub a rod with certain matierials, the rod will become charged. This is due to the convention that Ben Franklin came up with called the triboelectric series. So, my quesition is, without looking at the list provided to me in my textbook, how am I suppossed to know what charges are transferred to each material. For example, A plastic rod rubbed with fur becomes negatively charged, but a glass rod rubbed with silk becomes positively charged ... ok, that makes sense to me, but why not the other way around? I understand that if two materials are brought into contact, electrons are transferred from the material higher in the series to the one futher down, but how do you justify that, or how do you quantify that?

Thanks!

~P

 

[Nate810]

amThe triboelectric series is based on the idea that certain materials have a greater tendency to gain or lose electrons than others. This is due to differences in the materials' atomic structure and their ability to form electrostatic bonds with other materials. Materials higher up on the triboelectric series are more likely to gain electrons, while materials lower on the series are more likely to lose them. When two materials are rubbed together, the material with a higher triboelectric rating will transfer electrons to the material with a lower rating. This is why a plastic rod rubbed with fur becomes negatively charged, while a glass rod rubbed with silk becomes positively charged.

 

[m2003]

ete

Dear Pete,

Thank you for your question about the transfer of electrical charge through rubbing two materials together. This phenomenon is known as triboelectric charging, and it has been studied and understood by scientists for many years. The concept of the triboelectric series, as you mentioned, was first proposed by Ben Franklin and has been further developed and confirmed through experimental research.

The triboelectric series is a list of materials that shows their relative tendencies to gain or lose electrons when they come into contact with each other. When two materials are rubbed together, electrons can be transferred from one material to the other, resulting in one material becoming positively charged and the other becoming negatively charged. The materials that are higher on the triboelectric series have a stronger tendency to gain electrons, while those lower on the list have a stronger tendency to lose electrons. This is why, for example, a plastic rod rubbed with fur becomes negatively charged, as fur is higher on the triboelectric series and has a stronger tendency to gain electrons.

As for the justification and quantification of this phenomenon, it is based on the principles of electrostatics and the properties of atoms and molecules. Every material is made up of atoms, which consist of positively charged protons, neutral neutrons, and negatively charged electrons. When two materials come into contact and are rubbed together, the atoms in the materials can exchange electrons due to their different affinities for electrons. This results in one material gaining electrons and becoming negatively charged, while the other loses electrons and becomes positively charged.

To quantify this process, scientists use instruments such as an electroscope or a charge detector to measure the amount of charge present on a material. Through careful experimentation and observation, the triboelectric series has been developed and refined to accurately predict the charging behavior of different materials.

I hope this explanation helps to clarify the concept of triboelectric charging and the justification for the observed behavior. Keep asking questions and exploring the world of science!

Best,