just a follow-up question to what i have asked first, since some said that opposites attract while same charges repel, so charged particles attract uncharged ones.therefore, supposedly the styrofoam and the rod should attract each other but why does as i rubbed the plastic rod to a cloth and held it closer to the hanging styrofoam ball it repel? the styrofoam ball was wrapped with an aluminum foil.so was it the one (the aluminum foil)which made both objects repel? how does it became a factor and how does it affects both objects (the rod and styrofoam ball)? what was then the charge of the ball with and without the aluminum foil?? please anyone.
Like charges repelopposites attractIn some cases a charged item can induce a charge in another and cause an atraction as wellIf you ball repelled the rod than they both have the same chargePlacing aluminum on the ball should have no effect in theory, but in parcatice you will have a tough time putting it on the styrofoam withought grounding everything and possibly placing a new charge on Styrofoam will naturally generate a charge when handled, while aluminium will not The aluminim in the shape of a ball is almost exactly the shape one would use to store a charge If you acidently touched the ball with your rod, or your hand while touching the rod, you would probably place the rod's charge on the ball, and then of course they would both have the same charge and repel.
Is it just a coincidence your user name is the same as the first name of business owner? I would check with the utility companies in your areaThey may know somethingAnd cheapest is not always the best.
