Which field does every charged object have because of its charge?
Two identical combs lie on a dresser. One was just pulled through dry hair; the other was not. They look the same. But the space around them is not the same.
You have seen that any object with charge has an electric field around it. This lesson sorts objects: which ones have an electric field?
Ask one question of each object: does it carry charge?
This comb was just pulled through dry hair, so it carries charge. It has an electric field around it. But this comb has not been used, so it carries no charge. It has no electric field around it.
This strip of tape was just peeled off a roll, so it carries charge. It has an electric field around it. But this wooden block has not been rubbed, so it carries no charge. It has no electric field around it.
A steel fork carries no charge. It has no electric field around it. Being a metal gives an object no electric field.
A plastic spoon is rubbed with a paper towel and carries charge. Does it have an electric field around it?
Ask the sorting question:
Does the spoon carry charge? Yes: the rubbing left charge on it.
Yes: it has an electric field around it.
A party streamer is rubbed on a carpet and carries charge. Does it have an electric field around it?
A ceramic mug sits on a shelf and carries no charge. Does it have an electric field around it?
Ask the sorting question:
Does the mug carry charge? No: it carries no charge.
No: it has no electric field around it.
A paper napkin lies folded on a picnic table and carries no charge. Does it have an electric field around it?
Rafael says a glass marble that has never been rubbed has no electric field around it. Is Rafael correct?
Back at the dresser: only the used comb carries charge, so only the used comb has an electric field.
Which object has an electric field around it?
A charged drinking straw and an uncharged cork coaster lie on a desk. Which has an electric field around it?
Which statement tells whether an object has an electric field around it?