electrostatic induction, modification in the distribution of electric charge on one material under the influence of nearby objects that have electric charge. Thus, because of the electric force between charged particles that constitute materials, a negatively charged object brought near an electrically neutral object induces a positive charge on the near side and a negative charge on the far side of the neutral object. The neutral object, furthermore, may sometimes become charged positively by induction, if its negative part is grounded momentarily to permit the negative charge to escape. Electrostatic induction occurs whenever any object is placed in an electric field. See also electric polarization.
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