Can Rubbing a Metal with a Cloth Charge It by Friction?

In summary, when a rod with one half made of copper and the other half made of polythene (insulator) is held from the insulating part and the copper part is rubbed vigorously with a dry cloth, there is a weak possibility of charging the metal by friction. This is because pure conductors like copper have a rigid molecular construction that does not allow electrons to move freely, making it difficult for them to be charged through friction. In contrast, insulators have a looser molecular construction that makes it easy for them to be charged through friction. Therefore, it is not easy to charge a metal through friction in an ideal dry environment.
  • #1
nilic1
39
0
Imagine you have a rod half of which is made of copper and the other half is made of polythene (insulator).

If the rod is held from the insulating part (and so it's not earthed) and the copper part is rubbed vigorously with a very dry cloth, will it be charged or not?

In short I want to know whether in an ideal dry environment, whether it is possible or not to charge a well insulated metal by friction.
 
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  • #2
There is a weak possibility of getting a metal charged by friction as, a pure conductor, such as copper, has a rigid molecular construction that will not permit its electrons to be moved about freely in contrast to insulators that get charged with the slightest friction heat or pressure as it is extremely easy to disrupt their molecular construction.
In short it's extremely not easy to charge a metal by friction .
 
  • #3
handsoff said:
There is a weak possibility of getting a metal charged by friction as, a pure conductor, such as copper, has a rigid molecular construction that will not permit its electrons to be moved about freely in contrast to insulators that get charged with the slightest friction heat or pressure as it is extremely easy to disrupt their molecular construction.
In short it's extremely not easy to charge a metal by friction .

isnt it opposite of that?

conductors have free electrons (so that they conduct obviously !) which are easy to be taken away ... so friction will result in charging the rod
 

Related to Can Rubbing a Metal with a Cloth Charge It by Friction?

1. How does friction charge a metal?

Friction charges a metal by causing the transfer of electrons between two objects. When two objects rub against each other, electrons can move from one object to the other, creating a positive charge on one object and a negative charge on the other.

2. What types of metal can be charged by friction?

Most metals can be charged by friction, including copper, aluminum, gold, and silver. However, some metals, such as iron and steel, are less likely to become charged due to their higher conductivity.

3. What materials can be used to rub against a metal to charge it?

Any two materials with different levels of conductivity can be used to rub against a metal and create a charge. Common materials used include wool, fur, plastic, and rubber.

4. How long does it take to charge a metal by friction?

The amount of time it takes to charge a metal by friction depends on various factors, including the materials used, the amount of force applied, and the humidity of the environment. In most cases, it only takes a few seconds to charge a metal through friction.

5. Can a metal be charged by friction without direct contact with another material?

Yes, a metal can be charged by friction without direct contact with another material. This is known as triboelectric charging and occurs when an object becomes charged by simply being close to a charged object or in contact with a charged surface.

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