A piece of plastic can be electrified by rubbing it with a cloth, but you cannot do this to metal. Why?

Question

Thanks.

Answer 1

Because there's a difference between the molecular structure of the two materials.

A static-electric charge is created by a uneven distribution of electrons (those tiny negatively charged particles whizzing round a nucleus of an atom).  Due to the nature of the charge, the area with an increase of electrons (now charged negative) will try to get rid of the electrons, and the positively charged area will be trying to get electrons.  The chemical bonding of plastic makes it hard for the electrons to get from the negative to the positive area, hence the static charge.

By contrast, a metal is bonded using a "sea" of electrons, in a way.  This means that the electrons can flow from the -ve area to the +ve area without much resistance, dissipating the static charge as soon as it is built up.  This is why metals conduct electricity and plastics do not.

Answer 2

  The metal grounds the system so no electrons accumulate to build up a charge.

Answer 3

A static-electric charge is created by a uneven distribution of electrons (those tiny negatively charged particles whizzing round a nucleus of an atom). Due to the nature of the charge, the area with an increase of electrons (now charged negative) will try to get rid of the electrons, and the positively charged area will be trying to get electrons. The chemical bonding of plastic makes it hard for the electrons to get from the negative to the positive area, hence the static charge.

By contrast, a metal is bonded using a "sea" of electrons, in a way. This means that the electrons can flow from the -ve area to the +ve area without much resistance, dissipating the static charge as soon as it is built up. This is why metals conduct electricity and plastics do not.