Question

Explain the structure and working of electroscope

Answer 1

An electroscope is an early scientific instrument that is used to detect the presence and magnitude of electric charge on a body. It was the first electrical measuring instrument. ... Electroscopes detect electric charge by the motion of a test object due to the Coulomb electrostatic force.

Answer 2

ELECTROSCOPE :

Electroscope is used to detect and measure electric charges.

WORKING OF AN ELECTROSCOPE :

•In an uncharged electroscope, the leaves hang straight down.

•When a charged object touches the metal knob, electric charges travel down the rod and into the leaves.

•The leaves spread apart, indicating the presence of an electric charge.

•Since the charge on both leaves is the same the leaves repel each other and spread out.

CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELECTROSCOPE :

An electroscope consists of a metal rod with a knob at the top and a pair of thin metal leaves at the bottom. The rod is inserted in a one hole rubber stopper which fits into a flask. The flask contains the lower part of the rod and the metal leaves.