Question
Question: The existence of a negative charge on a body implies that it has: A. lost some of its electrons ...
The existence of a negative charge on a body implies that it has:
A. lost some of its electrons
B. lost some of its atoms
C. acquired some electrons from outside
D. acquired some protons from outside
Solution
When two bodies, which are in neutral state, are rubbed against each other then electrons from one body can move to the other body. One body gains the negative charge while the other loses the negative charge. Net charge on a body is equal to the sum of various positive and negative charges.
Complete answer:
A body consists of a large number of atoms which have a positively charged nucleus at centre and negatively charged electrons revolve around the nucleus. The outermost electrons in an atom are loosely bound and can separate away from the rest of the atom and roam freely in the body.
Since an atom is electrically neutral with equal quantities of positive and negative charge, the body as such is also neutral. But since electrons are mobile, then move from one body to another when two different bodies are rubbed against each other.
A body is said to be negatively charged when it contains an excess of electrons which it has acquired from another body.
Therefore, we can say that the correct answer is option C.
Additional information:
Electric charge of a material or particle can be defined as a fundamental property of that material or particle by virtue of which it experiences a certain force when it is placed in an electromagnetic field.
There exist two types of charges in nature namely the positive charge and the negative charge. We can differentiate between these charges based on the fact that how they interact with each other when brought in close vicinity of each other. Like charges tend to repel each other while the opposite charges tend to attract each other.
Note:
The body from which the negatively charged body has acquired additional electrons faces a deficiency of negative charge to neutralize the positive charge. In this case the body is said to be positively charged.