Explain, why a glass rod can be charged by friction (rubbing) by holding it into the hand, but the iron rod cannot be charged by holding it into the hand?

Glass rod, being an insulator can be charged by friction (rubbing) by holding it into the hand because the transfer of charge does not take place from the surface of the glass to our body. Therefore, the glass remains charged.

On the other hand, 

Iron rod being a good conductor of electricity cannot be charged by friction (rubbing) by holding it into the hand because when you charge a metal rod (iron) by friction, the rod gets extra electrons. But as you are connected to the rod, by holding it in your hand, the extra electrons that the rod got are transferred to you through hands and further transferred into the earth as you are connected to the earth through your body. Thus, the iron rod will continuously remain charge-free while holding it.

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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