1. Polarization: When a charged object is brought near an uncharged conducting object, the charges in the conductor experience a force due to the electric field created by the charged object. As a result, the charges in the conductor move, causing one side of the conductor to become positively charged and the other side to become negatively charged. This separation of charges is known as polarization.
2. Attraction of Unlike Charges: The positively charged side of the polarized conductor is attracted to the negatively charged object, while the negatively charged side is repelled. This attraction creates an electrostatic force between the two objects.
3. Transfer of Charge (if the objects are in contact): If the charged object and the uncharged conducting object are brought into contact, electrons can flow from the charged object to the uncharged object, resulting in the transfer of charge. The uncharged object becomes charged with the same type of charge as the charged object.
4. Non-Contact Charge Production: Even without physical contact, the electrostatic force between the charged object and the uncharged conductor can induce a charge in the conductor. The polarized charges on the conductor create an electric field that opposes the electric field of the charged object. As a result, the charges in the conductor are held in place, and the conductor becomes charged by induction.
It's important to note that electrostatic induction occurs primarily in conducting objects, as the mobile charges within the conductor allow for the redistribution of charges. In contrast, non-conducting objects, such as insulators, do not experience significant charge induction.
