What happens in charge separation by polarization when the external charged object is removed?

What happens in charge separation by polarization when the external charged object is removed?

• A. The surface molecules remain polarized.
• B. The neutral object gains a net charge.
• C. The surface molecules return to their normal configuration.
• D. The insulator becomes a conductor.

Answer: (C)

Polarization is when an external field shifts bound charges inside a dielectric, creating tiny dipoles and a surface charge pattern while the whole object stays neutral. When that external charge is removed, the field vanishes and the dipoles relax back to their original, unpolarized state. The surface charges disappear and the surface returns to normal, so there’s no net transfer of charge and the material does not become a conductor. In typical cases this relaxation happens completely, though some special materials can retain polarization, these are not the usual outcome.

Polarization is when an external field shifts bound charges inside a dielectric, creating tiny dipoles and a surface charge pattern while the whole object stays neutral. When that external charge is removed, the field vanishes and the dipoles relax back to their original, unpolarized state. The surface charges disappear and the surface returns to normal, so there’s no net transfer of charge and the material does not become a conductor. In typical cases this relaxation happens completely, though some special materials can retain polarization, these are not the usual outcome.