Neutrally charged insulators will be slightly attracted to a charged objects. This is normally only observable if the mass is small, for example water and soap bubbles.

All Textbook Topics - Electric Charge - Electric Charge Introduction - Neutrally charged insulators will be slightly attracted to a charged objects. This is normally only observable if the mass is small, for example water and soap bubbles.

Neutrally charged insulators will be slightly attracted to a charged objects. This is normally only observable if the mass is small, for example water and soap bubbles.

Negative charges can move in non-conductors (such as paper and plastic) but only a very small amount.

Due to the way they can move, if you bring a charged rod near to an uncharged object, there will be an attractive force. As the force is very small you can normally only see an effect if the mass is very small.

Here is an example using a charged acetate rod and pieces of tissue paper:

You can actually do this experiment at home, all you need is a plastic rod (or a plastic comb), a cloth and some pieces of torn up tissue paper:

Here is the method:

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