Question

Predict the charges that would result by rubbing ebonite with silk (use the electrostatic series)

Answer 1

Reason ---

When silk is rubbed on a glass rod, an electrostatic charge is generated in a phenomenon known as the triboelectric effect. It is this electric charge that gives you a shock in winter when your rubber-soled shoes rub against a carpeted floor. The triboelectric series is a list of materials sorted according to their electrostatic behavior; using the list, you can predict the electrostatic effects when silk is rubbed on a glass rod.

Silk with glass (charge formation) --

Because glass is closer to the top of the triboelectric series than silk, it develops a positive charge; silk becomes just as strongly charged, but the sign of the charge is negative. If you rub the two materials together, then touch the glass rod to two small bits of styrofoam, both pieces of styrofoam will lose electrons to the glass rod, become positively charged and will repel each other, because like charges repel. If you touch the rod to one piece of styrofoam and the silk to the other piece, the former piece will lose electrons take on a positive charge and the latter piece will gain electrons and take on a negative charge. The opposite charges will cause the pieces to attract.