Interactive: step through charging by friction, conduction and induction, and the build-up to a lightning strike, watching fixed positive charges and mobile electrons on each object
A positive rod gained nothing. It lost electrons
Rubbing, touching and simply holding a charged rod nearby all charge things the same way: electrons move, while the protons stay locked in their nuclei. A lightning strike starts with that same shuffle inside a storm cloud. Pick a method, then step through it and track where every electron goes.
Follow the electronsFriction · step 0 of 3
+ = proton charge fixed in an atom · glowing dot = one electron (free to move)
Both neutral: electrons match protons
Step through the method0 · start
Electrons moved
0
none yet
Net charge
0
polythene rod · total stays 0
Know This
Solids become charged only by gaining or losing electrons: friction transfers them, conduction shares them and induction pushes them aside without contact.