How a charged object can attract neutral paper
A statically charged object can attract neutral paper by slightly rearranging charge within it. Opposite charge shifts effectively closer to the object, while like charge lies farther away. Because the closer attraction is stronger, the paper can move towards the object without first having a net charge.
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Neutral does not mean electrically unresponsive
An electrically neutral object contains positive and negative charge in balance. A nearby charged object can still influence how that charge is distributed.
In a material such as paper, charges cannot necessarily flow freely, but their positions can shift slightly or existing molecular arrangements can respond. This creates polarisation.
The side closer to the charged object becomes effectively opposite in charge. The nearer attraction can outweigh the farther repulsion, producing a net force towards the object.
- The paper can remain neutral overall.
- Its internal charge distribution becomes uneven.
- Unequal distances make the forces unequal.
This explains why a charged comb can lift small paper pieces. Contact may subsequently transfer charge, so a piece's behaviour can change after it touches the comb.