What is the function of an electroscope?

What is the function of an electroscope?

• A. It measures the temperature of a conductor.
• B. It measures the quantity and type of charge.
• C. It measures the magnetic field strength.
• D. It measures the resistance of a wire.

Answer: (B)

The function of an electroscope is to detect electric charge and indicate it visually. When a conductor connected to the instrument carries net charge, the charges on the leaves repel each other and push apart. The amount by which the leaves diverge grows with the amount of charge, so you can tell that there is charge and get a qualitative sense of how much. With a known reference, you can also infer the type of charge, since the behavior changes with whether the charge is positive or negative. This is different from devices that measure temperature, magnetic fields, or electrical resistance, which is why an electroscope is specifically used to reveal the presence and degree of electric charge.

The function of an electroscope is to detect electric charge and indicate it visually. When a conductor connected to the instrument carries net charge, the charges on the leaves repel each other and push apart. The amount by which the leaves diverge grows with the amount of charge, so you can tell that there is charge and get a qualitative sense of how much. With a known reference, you can also infer the type of charge, since the behavior changes with whether the charge is positive or negative. This is different from devices that measure temperature, magnetic fields, or electrical resistance, which is why an electroscope is specifically used to reveal the presence and degree of electric charge.