Discover the Magic of Triboelectric Series!

What charge does each strip have according to the triboelectric series?

a. PVC (White strip) b. PVA (Clear strip)

Answer:

After rubbing wool on the PVC strip and cotton on the PVA strip, the PVC strip will have a positive charge, while the PVA strip will have a negative charge.

Have you ever wondered about the science behind the charged PVC and PVA strips? Let's dive into the fascinating world of the triboelectric series! When you rub two different materials together, such as PVC (white strip) and PVA (clear strip), they can exchange electrons, resulting in one material becoming positively charged and the other negatively charged.

This charge separation occurs due to differences in the materials' affinity for electrons, as described by the triboelectric series. The triboelectric series ranks materials based on their tendency to gain or lose electrons when brought into contact with each other.

In this particular case, rubbing wool on the PVC strip and cotton on the PVA strip will result in the following charge distribution:

• a. PVC (White strip): PVC is lower on the triboelectric series, which means it tends to lose electrons and become positively charged when rubbed with materials higher on the series, like wool. So, the PVC strip will become positively charged.
• b. PVA (Clear strip): PVA is higher on the triboelectric series compared to cotton, indicating a greater tendency to gain electrons. Therefore, the PVA strip will become negatively charged.

Understanding the triboelectric series opens up a world of possibilities in manipulating charges through simple processes like rubbing materials together. It's truly magical how science can explain everyday phenomena!