2015 Sec 4 Physics Assignment

Answers

AS 12
1

(a) (i) The positively charged sphere C induces negative charges at the left side of
sphere S and positive charges at the right side of sphere S.
Since the unlike charges of spheres C and S are closer than their like charges,
the force of attraction is stronger than the force of repulsion. Hence, sphere S
moves towards C.
(ii) When S touches C, since unlike charges attract, some negative charges from S
will move towards C to neutralise some of the positive charges in C. This will
cause sphere S to become positively charged and C will be less positive. Since
like charges repel, S will be repelled away from C.
(b)
nylon
thread
tension

electrostatic force
of repulsion

gravitational force

(c) Thermal energy ionises the air particle around S to become negative and positive ions.
The negative ions will be attracted to S and slowly discharge the excess positive
charges in S. Eventually, S will falls back towards C due to gravity and a weaker
repulsion force. Once all the excess positive charges are discharged, S will be attracted
to C again.

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(a) Since unlike charges attract, some negative charges in P and Q will move to the near
end of P where the perspex is located. As a result there are more negative charges in
P than Q. Likewise there will be more positive charges in Q than P.
(b) P becomes negatively charged and Q becomes positively charged.
(c)

No, as there is no contact throughout the whole process.