2. Who’s right? A negative and a positive charge is like no charge at all Hey, believe me! They will attract because they are opposite charges Plus and minus equal zero! So the two charges will destroy each other Opposites must repel. Look at me, I don’t get on with my boyfriend!

3. Super Mario is right! Like charges repel and opposite charges attract But why do they act like that?

4. Every electric charge acts with a repulsive electric force (push) on another charge of like sign, while the same charge acts with an attractive electric force (pull) on another charge of opposite sign. The branch of Physics that studies these charges and their forces is called ELECTROSTATICS.

5. Electrostatics When a polythene rod is rubbed by a duster, electrons are scratched away from the duster and stay on the rod Polythene rod Duster

6. Electrostatics In the same way, when an acetate rod is rubbed, electrons are scratched away and stay on the duster Acetate rod Duster

7. Having fun with electrostatics Now, rub a duster on your polythene (or acetate) rod and place the rod near the following objects: Small chips of paper A thin line of running water from the tap Then, record what happened in your book and try other things you can do with your rod or an air balloon and add them to your list.