What does charge by conduction involve?

Charge by conduction involves the transfer of electric charge through touch. This process occurs when a charged object comes into direct contact with an uncharged object, allowing the charge to flow from the charged object to the uncharged object. The movement of electrons between the two objects leads to both objects acquiring a similar charge.

In this scenario, the charged object effectively shares its surplus or deficit of electrons, resulting in the uncharged object gaining an electric charge as well. The fundamental principle behind this is the tendency for charges to redistribute until equilibrium is reached, meaning that when two conductive objects touch, they will balance out their charge distribution.

This process is distinct from charge by friction, which involves the buildup of charge through the rubbing of materials against one another, or charge induction, where a charged object can influence the charge distribution in another object without direct contact. Magnetic attraction of charged objects does not directly relate to the transfer of electric charge through touch, as it involves the interaction of magnetic fields rather than electrical charges.