If a suspended object A is attracted to a charged object B, can we conclude that A is charged?

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Physics

Bryan Coleman

23 April, 14:37

If a suspended object A is attracted to a charged object B, can we conclude that A is charged?

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Jeffrey Moyer · Answer 1

Not necessarily, object A could also be neutral, and becoming a dipole due to object B's charge. A charged object can induce a dipole in a neutral object, and that object would then become attracted without being charged.