Question

Describe with the help of a diagram an instrument that can be used to detect a charged body.

Answer 1

Electroscope:

1. An electroscope is a device that is used to check whether an object carries a charge or not. There is a disc at the top on which a metal rod is connected. This metal rod is further connected to two leaves of aluminum foil.
2. We know that the charges with the same nature repel each other and the charges with the opposite nature attract each other.
3. These leaves are placed inside a conical flask which is corked to isolate leaves from the outside air.
4. When a charged body is brought closer to the disk, the two leaves move away from each other. The nature of the charges is similar on both the charged body and the leaves.
5. If an uncharged body is brought closer to the disc then two leaves will remain in the initial position and will not repel each other.
6. This method of charging a body is called charging by conduction.