AIM:

To estimate the charge induced on each of the two identical

Styrofoam (or pith) balls suspended in a vertical plane by making
use of coulomb’s law.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
1. Small-sized identical balls (pith or soft plastic),
2. Physical balance or electronic balance,
3. Half-meter scale,
4. Cotton thread,
5. Stand,
6. Glass rod (plastic rod)
7. Silk cloth (wool cloth).
THEORY

Charging by induction is a fascinating concept in physics.

Charging by Induction:

 Definition: Charging by induction is a method used to charge

an object without actually touching it to any other charged
object.
 Process:
1. Start with a neutral or uncharged conductive material
(usually a metal object).
2. Bring a charged particle (such as a negatively charged
balloon) near the neutral object.
3. The presence of the charged particle induces a
redistribution of charge within the neutral object.
4. Electrons within the conductive material move away from
the charged particle (due to like charges repelling each
other).
5. As a result, one side of the conductive material becomes
positively charged, while the other side becomes
negatively charged.
6. The overall system remains electrically neutral, but there
is a separation of positive and negative charges within the
material.
7. No physical contact is necessary for this process to occur
Example:

 Imagine two metal spheres placed side by side. These spheres

are supported by insulating stands so that any charge acquired
by them cannot travel to the ground.
 If a negatively charged rubber balloon is brought near the
spheres, electrons within the two-sphere system will be induced
to move away from the balloon.
 Electrons migrate from one sphere to the other, resulting in
polarization of the system.
 The negatively charged sphere (B) is physically separated from
the positively charged sphere (A).
 Even though the overall system remains neutral, sphere A has
an overall positive charge, and sphere B has an overall
negative charge.
Pith ball experiment
Let two point stationary charges q1 and q2 are separated by a
distance r in vacuum.
The magnitude of the force (F) between them is given by:-
F = k|q1q2|/r²

The weight of the ball is,

W = mg
The restoring force on each ball F;
F = mgsinθ
From ΔOBC,
Sinθ = x/2l
Let charge on each ball is,
 q1=q2=q
Then, at equilibrium,

Mgsinθ=kq×q/x²
Mgx/2l =kq²/x²
q=√ [mgx³/2lk]
Where;
 k=9×10^9Nm^2c^-2 for air;
 g=9.8 m/sec^2 6

By substituting the value of mass (m) separating between

ball(x) and length of the thread used to suspend the ball.

PROCEDURE
 1. Weigh the mass of each identical pith balls by balance and note
it down.
2. Tie the ball two silk or cotton thread and suspend at a point on
a stand or a rigid support. Measure the length of the thread by
half-metre scale. The length of the scale should be equal. Note
down the length.
3. Rub the glass rod with silk cloth and touch with both the balls
together so that the balls acquire equal charge.
4. Suspend the balls freely and the balls stay away a certain
distance apart. Measure the distance between the balls when
they become stationary. Note down the distance.
5. Touch any one suspended ball with other uncharged third ball
and take the third ball away and repeat uncharged the step 4.
6. Touch the other suspended ball with the other fourth ball and
take the fourth ball away and repeat the step four

OBSERVATION
 Mass of each ball 200 g
 Radius of each ball 0.2mm
 Lengths of each thread 100cm
Serial Charge Charge Distanc
No on ball on ball e
a in C b in C betwee
n the
two
balls ab
in am
1
2
3

CALCULATION
By using the relation,
q=√ [mgx³/2lk]
Calculate the charge in each case.

RESULT
The charge on each ball -
PRECAUTIONS
 The suspended balls should not be touched by any conducting
body.
  Rub the glass rod properly with silk cloth to produce more
charge
 Weight the mass of the balls accurately.

SOURCE OF ERROR
1. The balls may not be of equal size and mass.
2 The distance between the balls may not be measured accurately