Question

During dry weather, while combing hair, sometimes we experience hair flying apart. The force responsible for this is

• A. force of gravity
• B. electrostatic force
• C. the force of friction
• D. magnetic force

Answer 1

The correct option is B

electrostatic force

The explanation for the Correct option:

In case of option B:

1. The electrostatic force between particles is an attracting or repulsive force induced by their electric charges.
2. A body that possesses charges is known as the charged body.
3. An object can be charged by rubbing two objects against each other.
4. When we comb our hair, the rubbing between comb and hair makes our hairs a charged body.
5. As our hairs become charged bodies they start to exert an electrostatic force on each other.

The explanation for the incorrect option:

In case of option A:

1. The force of attraction between all the objects in the universe having some mass is known as gravitational force.
2. Gravity is a force that pulls a body towards the earth's center or any other mass-bearing physical body.
3. The force of gravity is not responsible for the given phenomena

In case of option C:

1. When the surface of one object comes into contact with the surface of another, friction is the force that resists motion.
2. A body can be charged by friction.
3. The force of friction does not cause the given phenomena.

In case of option D:

1. Magnetic force is an attraction, or repulsion that arises between opposite magnetic poles.
2. The motion of charges causes magnetic force, which is a result of electromagnetic force.
3. A charged body exerts electrostatic force, while a magnet exerts magnetic force.
4. Magnetic forces do not cause this phenomenon as there is no magnetic effect observed.

Hence B is the correct option.