What Forces Influence a Paper's Leap Toward a Charged Comb?

[eraemia]

Homework Statement

What interactions are at play in the following scenario, and what objects are involved in the interactions?
A tiny bit of paper jumps from a tabletop toward an electrically charged comb. (Consider the bit after it has left the tabletop but before it reaches the comb.)

Homework Equations

Use the following interaction categories:
Gravitational, electrostatic, magnetic, friction, compression, and tension

The Attempt at a Solution

It seems that the obvious answer is an electrostatic interaction between the bit of paper and the comb. But how does this interaction affect the paper's motion? Does it suck the paper like a magnet? And while the paper is in the air, what other interactions are at play? With gravity? Compression with the air, or friction with the air?

 

[CEL]

The negatively charged comb repels the free electrons in the paper, so the surface near the comb becomes positively charged. The negative cahrges in the comb attract yhe positive charges in the paper.
The paper is submitted to the electrostatic force, the gravitational acceleration and to friction with the air.

 

[m2003]

I would approach this scenario by breaking it down into smaller interactions and objects involved. The first interaction that occurs is between the paper and the tabletop, where the paper is held in place by the force of gravity. When the paper jumps, it overcomes the force of gravity and is now in motion.

As it travels towards the comb, the main interaction at play is indeed an electrostatic one. The comb is charged and the paper, being a conductor, is attracted to it. This attraction is what causes the paper to move towards the comb.

However, there are other interactions at play as well. As the paper moves through the air, it experiences air resistance or friction. This can slow down its motion and affect its trajectory. Additionally, there may be some compression of air molecules as the paper moves through them.

Overall, the interactions involved in this scenario are gravitational, electrostatic, and frictional. The objects involved are the paper, tabletop, air, and the charged comb. By considering all of these interactions, we can better understand the motion of the paper as it jumps towards the comb.