Charging by friction and electrostatic phenomena

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Question 12
Medium

Figure 1 shows a model used to demonstrate how lightning is produced. A highly negatively charged metal sphere is suspended a short distance above a flat, earthed metal plate.

A diagram showing a large metal sphere labeled 'Charged sphere' with negative signs (-) distributed on its surface. Below this sphere is a flat horizontal metal plate labeled 'Earthed plate'. The plate is connected by a wire to a standard three-bar electrical earth symbol.

Explain how a spark is produced between the negatively charged sphere and the earthed plate. Your answer must refer to induced charges.

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Charging by friction and electrostatic phenomena Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Charging by friction and electrostatic phenomena