Electric charges can cause polystyrene foam to either attract or repel each other. This is due to the electric force between charges, which can cause the foam to move.
Polystyrene foam can become charged when it rubs against other materials, such as a balloon or a piece of cloth. This is known as the triboelectric effect, where the foam gains or loses electrons from the other material, resulting in an overall charge.
The electric force between two charged pieces of polystyrene foam can be measured using an electroscope. This device uses a metal rod and a thin piece of metal foil to detect the presence and strength of an electric charge, allowing you to measure the force between the two pieces of foam.
Yes, the electric force between polystyrene foam can be controlled by changing the amount of charge on each piece of foam. This can be done by rubbing the foam with different materials or using a device, such as a Van de Graaff generator, to add or remove charge.
Understanding the electric force between charges and polystyrene foam can have various applications, such as in the development of static electricity-based technologies, like air filters and paint sprayers. It can also be useful in industries that deal with packaging and shipping, as well as in the design of electronic devices and circuitry.