Chapter 32, Problem 31A

If you scuff electrons from your hair onto a comb, are you positively or negatively charged? How about the comb?

To determine

Nature of charge on hairs and comb.

Answer to Problem 31A

The hairs will be positively charged. The comb will be negatively charged.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

When an atom has loosely bound electrons, then electrons in the outermost shell loses and become free.

A comb has tightly packed electrons. However, a person’s hairs are loosely bound. They have electrons loosely packed in the outermost shell. When a comb is rubbed over the surface of hairs, then electrons from the hairs are removed easily as compared to the comb. Now, these free electrons are attracted to the comb and attached to it.

Conclusion:

Thus, the hairs will be positively charged and the comb will be negatively charged.