Question

What are the different applications of electrostatics?

Answer 1

Hint: The application of electrostatics can be explained by the state of rest of the charges or more specifically accumulation of charges. The application of electrostatics also involves the intrinsic property of charges i.e. charges are either positive or negative such that charges repel each other and unlike charges attract. Keeping in mind the above facts we can explain various applications of electrostatics.

Complete step-by-step solution:
One of the most common and widely demonstrated applications of electrostatics is Van De Graff’s generator. This machine basically consists of two concentric spheres such that the potential on the inner sphere is always greater than the potential on the outside. As a result no matter how much charge is there on the surface of the larger sphere the charge will always flow from smaller to sphere of larger radius until the breakdown field of air is not reached. Therefore this machine can be used to generate voltages of the order of a few millions.
Another common application of electrostatics in industries is the use of electrostatic pollution control filters. The electrostatic part of the process involves the placement of the positive charge on smoke, dust particles etc which is then passed through an oppositely charged grid which prevents the particles from getting into air.
Another application of electrostatics is the use of electrostatic processes in Xerography in copy machines. There are five major processes that are involved :
a) Photoconductive drum is charged
b) Transfer of image
c) creating a duplicate i.e. copy using positive charge
d) the attraction of the toner (ink) to the charged part of the drum
e) transferring the toner to the paper

Note:Van De Graff’s generator is used by laboratories to carry out high energy experiments of particle physics. Nowadays we have the Laser printers which work similar to the process of xerography but give a better finish. Electrostatics basically means charges at rest whereas motion of such charges under an electric field gives electricity.