Charges are brought abeut by the transter of
a. Charges b. electrons c. molecules d. neutrons
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. electrons.
Charges are brought about by the transfer of electrons. An electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle that exists in the outer regions of atoms. The movement of electrons between atoms or objects is what creates an electrical charge imbalance.
In most situations, when an object gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged, while the object losing electrons becomes positively charged. This transfer typically occurs during physical interactions such as rubbing objects together (for example, rubbing a balloon against hair). The electrons from the atoms of one object transfer to another, resulting in one object becoming negatively charged and the other positively charged. This phenomenon is a key principle in static electricity.
For a better understanding, let’s consider the example of a metal rod being rubbed with a cloth. The friction causes the electrons to move from the atoms of the rod to the cloth. As a result, the rod becomes positively charged due to the loss of electrons, and the cloth becomes negatively charged because it gains those electrons.
This transfer of electrons is central to the concepts of electricity and electromagnetism, which underlie many modern technologies, from batteries to electric circuits. It’s important to note that protons, which have a positive charge, are much more stable within atoms and do not typically move around during these processes. Neutrons, which are electrically neutral, do not play a role in creating charge transfers either.
Understanding electron transfer is crucial not only in physics but also in fields like chemistry and engineering, where electrical interactions often dictate how substances react or how circuits function.