Question

When you rub a plastic rod with fur, the plastic rod becomes negatively charged and the fur becomes positively charged. As a consequence of rubbing the rod with the fur,
A. the rod and fur both gain mass.
B. the rod and fur both lose mass.
C. the rod gains mass and the fur loses mass.
D. the rod loses mass and the fur gains mass.
E. none of the above

Answer 1

Answer: C. the rod gains mass and the fur loses mass.

Explanation:Atomic particles have mass. The electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton and with exchange exchange of charge this is also factored in. The movement of effect described above is known as the triboelectic charging process—charging by friction—which results in a transfer of electrons between the two objects when they are rubbed together. Plastic having a much greater affinity for electrons than animal fur pulls electrons from the atoms of fur, leaving both objects with an imbalance of charge. The plastic rod would have an excess of electrons and the fur has a shortage of electrons. Having an excess of electrons, the plastic is charged negatively and has more mass. In the same vein, the shortage of electrons on the fur leaves it with a positive charge and consequently with lesser mass.