What Happens When You Bombard a Rubber Ball with Electrons?

In summary, the conversation discussed the effects of bombarding a rubber ball with electrons. It was suggested that this could result in a negative surface charge and possibly emit electromagnetic radiation. It was also mentioned that conducting this experiment in a vacuum would be ideal. The conversation also noted that using a steel ball may produce more significant x-rays due to its material.
  • #1
PhysicsInNJ
44
1
A friend of mine posed a question; if you take a rubber ball and bombard it with electrons, what would happen?

I posited that some of the electrons would likely stay on the surface of the ball, giving it a negative charge. I then suggested that if under the "right" conditions you may be able to have photons or some other kind of electromagnetic radiation emitted.

Am I totally off or was there some truth to what I was saying?
 
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  • #2
You could certainly induce a negative surface charge.
The EM is also true, if only because "some kind of EM radiation" covers such a wide range.
By the time you got "real" EM out of the thing, you would be destroying the rubber.

... now switch to a steel ball and you can get some significant x-rays.

BTW: You should do these experiments in a vacuum.
 

FAQ: What Happens When You Bombard a Rubber Ball with Electrons?

What is a rubber ball made of?

A rubber ball is typically made of rubber, which is a type of polymer that is elastic and can bounce.

How does a rubber ball bounce?

A rubber ball bounces because of the elastic properties of the rubber material. When the ball hits a surface, it compresses and stores energy, which is then released as the ball bounces back to its original shape.

Can rubber balls conduct electricity?

No, rubber balls are insulators and cannot conduct electricity. This is because the electrons in rubber are tightly bound and cannot move freely to carry an electrical current.

What is the relationship between rubber balls and electrons?

Rubber balls and electrons have a relationship in terms of the material's electrical conductivity. As an insulator, rubber does not allow electrons to flow through it easily, unlike conductors like metal. However, if rubbed against certain materials, rubber can become charged with static electricity due to the transfer of electrons.

How are rubber balls used in scientific experiments?

Rubber balls are commonly used in scientific experiments to study the principles of motion and energy. They can also be used to demonstrate concepts such as elasticity, momentum, and collisions. In addition, rubber balls are often used as a standard object for calibration and comparison in experiments due to their consistent and predictable behavior.

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