The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction

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written by Tom Henderson

This is an interactive tutorial for high school physics students on the topic of electrostatic induction. Induction charging is a method used to charge a conductor without direct contact. The tutorial integrates the concepts of conservation of charge, polarization, and importance of ground in induction charging. It includes multiple diagrams and a self-guided quiz to check understanding.

SEE RELATED MATERIALS for a link to a simulation by the MIT TEAL Project that would nicely supplement this tutorial.

This item is part of a collection of tutorials, labs, and multimedia simulations developed for high school physics students.

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Electricity & Magnetism - Electrostatics = Conductors and Insulators = Electrostatic Machines = Induced Charge	- High School	- Instructional Material = Tutorial

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - Assessment - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended User:: Learner
Format:: text/html
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 1996 Tom Henderson
Keywords:: charge polarization, conservation of charge, electric charge, electrophorus, electroscope, electrostatics, induction , polarization
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created April 29, 2010 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: June 23, 2011 by Tom Henderson
Last Update when Cataloged:: January 31, 2010

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This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.

Topic: "Static" Electricity
Unit Title: Electrostatic Induction

Electrostatic induction is a redistribution of electrical charge in an object. Induction is one way to charge an object (friction or rubbing is another way). The induction process can be confusing to students, and this Physics Classroom tutorial does a terrific job of making it clear. Includes a Q & A set to self-test understanding.

Link to Unit:

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=10007">Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction. January 31, 2010.</a>

AIP Format

T. Henderson, (1996), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm).

AJP/PRST-PER

T. Henderson, The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction (1996), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm>.

APA Format

Henderson, T. (2010, January 31). The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction. Retrieved March 15, 2025, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm

Chicago Format

Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction. January 31, 2010. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm (accessed 15 March 2025).

MLA Format

Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction. 1996. 31 Jan. 2010. 15 Mar. 2025 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "Tom Henderson", Title = {The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {15 March 2025}, Month = {January 31, 2010}, Year = {1996} }

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%A Tom Henderson %T The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction %D January 31, 2010 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm %O text/html

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%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D January 31, 2010 %T The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction %V 2025 %N 15 March 2025 %8 January 31, 2010 %9 text/html %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/estatics/u8l2b.cfm

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The Physics Classroom: Charging by Induction:

Is Supplemented By MIT Physics 8.02: Electrostatics - Charging by Induction

This Java simulation breaks the electrostatic induction process into easy steps: charge separation within the conductor, grounding, and ungrounding. May be viewed as "grass seeds", electric potential lines, or in 3D.

relation by Caroline Hall

Has Student Extra Static Electricity: Charging a Two-Sphere System by Induction Using a Negative Object

Need to see it? View the Charging a Two-Sphere System by Induction animation from the Multimedia Physics Studios.

relation by Tom Henderson

Has Student Extra Static Electricity: Charging an Electrophorus by Induction Using a Negatively Charged Object

Need to see it? View the Charging an Electrophorus by Induction animation from the Multimedia Physics Studios.

relation by Tom Henderson

Has Student Extra Flickr Physics

Visit The Physics Classroom's Flickr Galleries and enjoy a photo overview of the topic of static electricity.

relation by Tom Henderson

Has Teaching Guide The Laboratory

Looking for a lab that coordinates with this page? Try the Pop Can Induction Lab from The Laboratory.