Question

A glass rod rubbed with silk is used to charge a gold leaf electroscope and the leaves are observed to diverge. The electroscope thus charged is exposed to X-rays for a short period. Then

• A. the divergence of leaves will not be affected
• B. the leaves will diverge further
• C. the leaves will collapse
• D. the leaves will melt

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Charge on glass rod is positive, so charge on gold leaves will also be positive. Due to $X$ -rays, more electrons from leaves will be emitted, so leaves becomes more positive and diverge further.