Chapter 20.2, Problem 19SSC

To determine

To explain:The reason forthe rising of leaves of a charged electroscopeto a certain angle and no farther.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The electrostatic force is the attractive or repulsive force between the electrically charged particles. There will be a force of attraction acting between the unlike charges and force of repulsion between the like charges.

When the leaves of a charged electroscope starts to move away from each other, then there will be a decrease in the electrostatic force between them. The electrostatic force goes on decreasing until it is balanced by the gravitational force that pulls the electroscope leaves down. Hence the electroscope leaves rise to a certain angle and no farther.