# A student runs a plastic comb through their dry hair several times. The comb then attracts small pieces of tissue paper without touching them. Explain why the comb becomes charged when passed through the hair, and why the uncharged pieces of tissue paper are then attracted to the comb.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 2.3 Electric charge · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Friction between the comb and hair causes electrons to transfer from the hair to the comb (or equivalent: the comb gains electrons from the hair).
2. The comb gains electrons and therefore becomes negatively charged.
3. The negative charge on the comb repels electrons (negative charges) in the nearby tissue paper, so the surface of the tissue paper closest to the comb acquires a positive charge.
4. The negatively charged comb attracts the positively charged surface of the tissue paper because unlike/opposite charges attract.

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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