Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 84%

Which of the following is true about the electrostatic forces of attraction between objects?

Rationale

Positively charged objects attract negatively charged objects.

Electrostatic forces arise from the interactions between charged objects, where opposite charges attract and like charges repel. Therefore, positively charged objects will indeed attract negatively charged objects, creating a fundamental principle of electrostatics.

A (Positively charged objects attract negatively charged objects.) CORRECT

This statement accurately reflects the principle of electrostatics, where opposite charges exhibit an attractive force. Positively charged objects have a deficiency of electrons, while negatively charged objects have an excess, leading to a strong attraction between them.

B (Positively charged objects attract other positively charged objects.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is incorrect because like charges repel each other. Positively charged objects have similar electric fields that push away one another, resulting in a repulsive force instead of attraction.

C (Positively charged objects and negatively charged objects attract neutral objects.) YOUR ANSWER

While it is true that charged objects can induce polarization in neutral objects, the statement inaccurately implies that the attraction is due to the charged object's influence on the neutral object rather than a direct attraction based on electrostatic forces. The attraction between charged and neutral objects is not as direct as that between oppositely charged objects.

D (Negatively charged objects attract other negatively charged objects.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is also incorrect because negatively charged objects repel each other due to their similar electric charges. Just like positively charged objects, negatively charged ones do not exert an attractive force on each other.

Conclusion

The fundamental nature of electrostatic forces dictates that opposite charges attract while like charges repel. Among the provided options, the only true statement is that positively charged objects attract negatively charged objects, which is a core principle of electrostatics. Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending various physical phenomena, including the behavior of atoms and molecules in different states of matter.

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