Find some small light pieces of paper and you'll notice in the paper experiments that as you bring the comb up to the paper bits or a lightweight sheet it will move.   Almost any small material -- bread crumbs work -- will be attracted, not repelled.  Given that the comb is already charged, which explanation is the best?     Since the comb is negative, electrons on the paper are repelled and there is net positive charge closest to the comb.  That creates net force in the direction of the comb and  if it is  light enough, the bits experience a net upward force that accelerates them toward the comb.     Paper is always negatively charged.     The paper may have either positive or negative charge randomly, some bits will go toward the comb, some will be repelled.     Paper is always positively charged.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter19: Electric Forces And Electric Fields
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 11CQ
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Find some small light pieces of paper and you'll notice in the paper experiments that as you bring the comb up to the paper bits or a lightweight sheet it will move.   Almost any small material -- bread crumbs work -- will be attracted, not repelled.  Given that the comb is already charged, which explanation is the best?

   

Since the comb is negative, electrons on the paper are repelled and there is net positive charge closest to the comb.  That creates net force in the direction of the comb and  if it is  light enough, the bits experience a net upward force that accelerates them toward the comb.

   

Paper is always negatively charged.

   

The paper may have either positive or negative charge randomly, some bits will go toward the comb, some will be repelled.

   

Paper is always positively charged. 

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