Question

In the process of electrostatic induction,
A) A conductor is rubbed with an insulator
B) A charge is produced by friction
C) Negative and positive charges are separated
D) Electrons are ‘sprayed’ on the object

Answer 1

Hint : The process of electrostatic induction involves the redistribution of charges in an object that is caused by the influence of nearby charges. The separation of charges happens due to the coulomb’s law which relates the force experienced by differently charged particles.

Complete step by step answer
Electrostatic induction is the process of modification in the distribution of electric charge on one object due to the effect of other nearby objects that have electrically charged. This happens because the electrically charged object will exert coulomb forces on the neutral object and cause a redistribution of charges in the uncharged object too. There is no production of charge due to friction or spraying of charges. Only redistribution of charges happens in electrostatic induction.
For example, if a positive charge is brought near a neutral object, the positive charge will attract the electrons in the neutral object towards it and push the positive ions in it away from itself. As a result, the charges in the neutral object are now redistributed and separated. This is called electrostatic induction.
Hence option (C) is correct.

Note
The process of electrostatic induction does not give charge to an object. It merely redistributes the charge in an object. So, the previously neutral object will have the same amount of positive and negative charge but the charge will be redistributed such that it will be attracted towards the external charge. The process of electrostatic induction is also temporary so if the external charge is removed, the charge distribution in the neutral object will go back to normal.