Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 22 - Think and Discuss - Page 429: 103

Answer

Theoretically, a penny will be more massive when it has a negative charge than when it has a positive charge.

Work Step by Step

When a penny loses electrons, it acquires a positive charge. Theoretically speaking, its mass de­creases, by the mass of the electrons that went away. Practically speaking, this mass loss is far, far, far too small to measure for a penny. A similar argument shows that when an object gains electrons, it acquires a negative charge. Theoretically speaking, its mass increases, by the mass of the electrons that it picked up.
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