Question

Statement 1) Plastic rod becomes negatively charged when rubbed with fur.
Statement 2) Glass rod becomes positively charged when rubbed with wool.
Explain both statements. [2 marks]

Answer 1

Statement 1) When a plastic rod is rubbed with fur, the plastic rod becomes negatively charged as electrons from fur are deposited on the plastic rod.
The plastic rod becomes negatively charged because the plastic possesses a more significant attraction for electrons than the fur. (1 mark)

Statement 2) The glass rod becomes positively charged as it loses the electrons to wool because the wool possesses a more significant attraction for electrons than the glass rod. (1 mark)