Electrons can be transferred between objects due to their differing electron affinities. Charging by friction occurs when electrons are transferred between two rubbing objects, such as between hair and a rubber balloon. This leaves both objects with an imbalance of charge - the hair loses electrons and becomes positively charged, attracting the now negatively charged balloon. Charging by induction can also occur when a charged object is brought near a conductor without touching, inducing a charge in the conductor through their interaction.

1. ELECTRIC CHARGE

2. • The presence of different atoms in objects provides different objects with
different electrical properties. One such property is known as electron affinity.
• Simply put, the property of electron affinity refers to the relative amount of
love that a material has for electrons. If atoms of a material have a high
electron affinity, then that material will have a relatively high love for
electrons. This property of electron affinity will be of utmost importance as
we explore one of the most common methods of charging - charging by
friction or rubbing

3. • Charging by Friction - The frictional charging process results in a transfer of electrons
between the two objects that are rubbed together. For example, a dog near scratching its
body to a rubber matt. The rubber has a much greater attraction for electrons than animal
fur. As a result, the atoms of rubber pull electrons from the atoms of animal fur, leaving both
objects with an imbalance of charge.
• On the Experiment:
• Two rubber balloons suspended from the ceiling and hung at approximately head height.
When rubbed upon a head, the balloons became charged as electrons are transferred
from the hair to the balloons. Since the hair lost electrons, it became positively charged
and the subsequent attraction between the two rubbed objects could be observed. Of
course, when you pull your head away from the balloons, the balloons experienced a
repulsive interaction for each other.

4. • Charging by Induction - Friction charging is a very common method of
charging an object. However, it is not the only process by which objects
become charged.
• Charging by induction occurs when we bring a charged object near a
conductor. It is not for no reasons that we say near
• The charged object does not actually touch the conductor. The charged object
is just allowed to get close to the conductor.
• As a result, the conductor will be charged. We say that a charge has been
induced in the conductor.