Question

Use hypothesis two, which claims that if an object is an insulator, its electrons will stay in their vicinity of their atoms , to explain why the uncoated Styrofoam ball is still attracted to the rod after touching it...

Answer 1

@broken_symmetry
Can you help here ?

Answer 2

The hypothesis means that the electrons won't conduct from the insulator (styrofoam) to the rod (maybe also another insulator). This means both objects will retain their non-zero charge, even though they are in contact.

Answer 3

Then, how can they get charged in the first place ??

Answer 4

That's an observation that suggests the hypothesis is incorrect.

Answer 5

Thanks for your time :)