Question

why should earthed conducting sheets be placed around the lower half of a gold-leaf electroscope?​

Answer 1

Any object that has been earthen will have electrical potential of earth that is a negatively charged rod is bought near the cap of the gold leaf it will reduce glass bottle, usually open at the bottom and mounted over a conductive base. Often there are grounded metal plates or foil strips in the bottle flanking the gold leaves.

Answer 2

Answer:

the gold leaf electroscope earthed conductors are used to prevent charges escaping the leaves and settling on the glass walls.