Question

What will be the nature of charge on the metal paper clip of an electroscope when a negatively charged body is brought in contact with it.
A. Positive
B. Negative
C. Partially Positive
D. None of the above

Answer 1

We know that if an object loses any electron, it charges that object positively. If an object gains electrons, that object gets negatively charged here static electricity or conduction is responsible for the transfer of charges in various objects. Similarly, the concept of contact is used here by a metal paper clip of an electroscope along with a negatively charged body.

Complete answer:
An electroscope is a scientifically used instrument which is used to detect the presence of electric charge on a body. The amount of charge on a body is proportional to the voltage. In electrostatics opposite charges attract each other while charges repel each other. Most of the substances are neutral to electricity. Here an object with a suspended negatively charged body is brought near the metal paper clip of the electroscope.

The electrical charges move to the metal and down to the paper clip, which is further repelled by each other. Now when the metal paper clip is brought in contact with a negatively charged body the charge develops is negative. Since the charge formation here takes place in between both the metal paper clip as well as the negatively charged body and by the law of conduction they will acquire the charge developed by the body.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Note: Remember that the amount of the charge produced in the object is directly proportional to its voltage. The electroscope requires hundreds and thousands of volts, so the electroscope is used in high voltage sources such as electrostatic machines and static electricity.