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Neutral State: In its neutral state, an object has an equal number of protons
(positively charged particles) and electrons (negatively charged particles). The
positive charge of the protons balances out the negative charge of the electrons,
resulting in a net charge of zero. As a result, the object does not exhibit any
electrically charged behavior.
Excess or Deficit of Electric Charge: When an object becomes electrically charged, it
means that it either gains or loses electrons, causing an imbalance in the number
of protons and electrons.
● Excess Charge: If an object gains electrons, it will have an excess of
negative charge, as there are more electrons than protons. This results in
the object becoming negatively charged.
● Deficit Charge: Conversely, if an object loses electrons, it will have a deficit
of negative charge, as there are fewer electrons than protons. This results
in the object becoming positively charged.
Effects of Electric Charge: Once an object becomes electrically charged, it can
interact with other charged objects or electric fields. Charged objects exert
forces on each other according to Coulomb's law, which describes the attraction
or repulsion between charges based on their magnitudes and distances.

Coulomb's law, which describes the electrostatic force between charged particles, has
numerous practical applications across various fields. Some of the key practical
applications include:

Electrostatic Precipitators: Coulomb's law is used in electrostatic precipitators to


remove particulate matter from industrial exhaust gases. By applying an
electric field to the gas stream, charged particles are attracted to oppositely
charged plates, allowing clean gas to exit while particulates are collected for
disposal.
Van de Graaff Generators: Van de Graaff generators use Coulomb's law to generate
high voltages for experiments and demonstrations. They accumulate static
electric charge on a large metal sphere using a moving belt, creating a strong
electric field that can be used for various applications in physics education and
research.
Capacitors: Capacitors store electric charge and energy by exploiting the principles
of Coulomb's law. They consist of two conductive plates separated by an
insulating material (dielectric). When a voltage is applied across the plates,
positive and negative charges accumulate, creating an electric field between
the plates. Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits for energy storage,
filtering, and signal processing.
Electrostatic Printing and Photocopiers: Electrostatic printing and photocopiers
utilize Coulomb's law to transfer toner particles onto a charged drum or paper.
By applying a varying electric field, toner particles are attracted to the
oppositely charged areas on the drum, forming an image that can be transferred
onto paper.
Ionization Smoke Detectors: Ionization smoke detectors use Coulomb's law to
detect smoke particles in the air. They contain a small radioactive source that
ionizes air molecules, creating charged particles. When smoke enters the
detector, it disrupts the ionization process, causing a change in electric current
that triggers the alarm.
Electrostatic Sprayers: Electrostatic sprayers apply charged droplets of liquid to
surfaces for disinfection or pesticide application. By charging the liquid as it
passes through the sprayer, Coulomb's law causes the droplets to be attracted
to surfaces, resulting in more uniform coverage and improved efficiency
compared to conventional sprayers.

Yes, both forces of attraction and repulsion, as described by Coulomb's law, can be
utilized in circuits depending on the specific components and configurations involved.
Here's how:

Force of Attraction:
● In circuits, attraction between opposite charges is commonly used in
capacitors. A capacitor consists of two conductive plates separated by a
dielectric material. When a voltage is applied across the plates, positive
and negative charges accumulate on each plate, creating an electric field
between them. This electric field causes an attractive force between the
opposite charges, allowing the capacitor to store electrical energy.
Force of Repulsion:
● In circuits, repulsion between like charges is utilized in various ways. For
example:
● Electrostatic Discharge Protection: Components such as diodes
and transient voltage suppressors (TVS) can utilize the force of
repulsion to divert excess charge away from sensitive circuit
elements, protecting them from damage due to electrostatic
discharge (ESD).
● Electrostatic Motors: In some specialized applications,
electrostatic motors use the force of repulsion between like
charges to generate motion. These motors typically operate on
high-voltage circuits and can be found in precision equipment and
scientific instruments.

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