When the metal clip of an electroscope, with initially diverging strips, is touched by a hand, the charged strips will contract. This is because the charge on the strips is discharged through the hand to the ground, neutralizing the initial charge and causing the strips to collapse.
Explanation:
1. Initial Divergence:
When a charged body is brought near or in contact with the electroscope’s metal clip, the charge from the body is transferred to the electroscope’s metal components and then to the metal strips. Since like charges repel, the strips, now carrying the same charge, diverge.
2. Discharge through the hand:
When the metal clip is touched by the hand, the charge can now flow easily from the clip to the hand and then through the body to the ground. This is because the human body is a conductor, allowing electricity to flow through it.
3. Neutralization and contraction:
As the charge flows through the hand, it is dissipated to the ground, effectively neutralizing the charge on the electroscope’s metal strips. With the removal of the charge, the electrostatic repulsion between the strips ceases, causing them to move closer together (collapse or contract).