# Explain how a charged comb can attract small pieces of uncharged paper, even though the paper has no overall charge.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.7.3 Electric Fields · Explain · 5 marks

> When a plastic comb is rubbed through hair, it becomes negatively charged. If the comb is held close to small pieces of paper, the paper is attracted to the comb.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The charged comb creates an electric field around it
2. The electric field causes the electrons in the paper to be redistributed / move
3. Electrons in the paper are repelled away from the comb, leaving the near side of the paper positively charged
4. The positively charged near side of the paper is attracted to the negatively charged comb
5. The attractive force on the near side is greater than the repulsive force on the far side, so there is a net attractive force

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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