1. Charging by Contact:
* Rubber Rod: When you rub a rubber rod with a piece of fur, electrons are transferred from the fur to the rod. This makes the rod negatively charged.
* Electroscope: The electroscope, usually made of metal, starts with a neutral charge. This means it has an equal number of protons (positive charges) and electrons (negative charges).
2. Electron Transfer:
* When the negatively charged rubber rod touches the electroscope, some of the excess electrons from the rod flow onto the electroscope's metal parts (including the leaves).
3. Repulsion:
* Like charges repel: Now, both the leaves of the electroscope have a net negative charge. Since like charges repel, the leaves push away from each other, causing them to spread apart.
In summary: The charged rubber rod transfers excess electrons to the electroscope, making the leaves of the electroscope negatively charged. This repulsion between like charges on the leaves causes them to separate.
