Sticking of bits of paper to an ebonite rod (rubbed with fur) is an example of which of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Electrostatics
Option (1) Magnetism — Incorrect. Neither ebonite nor paper is a magnet. The rod attracts the paper only after it is rubbed. The pull comes from the charge the rod gains on rubbing.
Option (2) Electromagnetic induction — Incorrect. Induction needs a changing magnetic flux through a circuit, and there is no magnetic field or circuit here.
Option (3) Electric current — Incorrect. A current is a flow of charge, but the charge on the rubbed ebonite, an insulator, stays at rest on its surface.
Option (4) Electrostatics — Correct. Rubbing with fur charges the ebonite rod, and this charge at rest attracts light bits of paper. A force due to static charges is the subject of electrostatics.
NCERT (2026-27):
Introduction – “… Static means anything that does not move or change with time. Electrostatics deals with the study of forces, fields and potentials arising from static charges.”
Electric Charge – “… Many such pairs of materials were known which on rubbing could attract light objects like straw, pith balls and bits of papers.”