Physics Review Question

Unit: Electricity and magnetism
Year: 1996 Question#: 24
Question:
An inflated balloon which has been rubbed against a person's hair is touched to a neutral wall and remains attracted to it. Which diagram best represents the charge distribution on the balloon and wall?
(1 ) (2 )
(3 )  (4 )


What is this question really asking?


Explanation by: Jay D

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Answer 1


INCORRECT

This is incorrect because like charges repel and opposites attract. This particular diagram has negative against negative. return to top























Answer 2


INCORRECT

This has like charges against each other meaning they wont attract, hence the balloon will not stay on the wall. return to top

Answer 3


CORRECT

This is correct because the balloon is negative and the wall is positive, hence opposites attract. return to top

Answer 4


INCORRECT

This has like charges against each other meaning they wont attract, hence the balloon will not stay on the wall. return to top

What's this question really asking?
If you were to rub a balloon, touch it to a wall and it remained there, what would the orientation of the charges look like?
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