Which process is the separation of charges caused by an electric field?

Which process is the separation of charges caused by an electric field?

• A. Reflection
• B. Induction
• C. Absorption
• D. Refraction

Answer: (B)

When an electric field acts on a neutral object, its charges rearrange without any contact. The field pushes electrons toward one side and away from the other, creating a separation of positive and negative charges inside the object. This redistribution is called induction (electrostatic induction). It explains why the object becomes polarized in the field and can influence nearby charges. Reflection, absorption, and refraction are about how light interacts with matter, not about moving charges inside an object due to an electric field. Reflection is light bouncing off, absorption is light energy taken in, and refraction is light bending as it passes between materials with different light speeds.

When an electric field acts on a neutral object, its charges rearrange without any contact. The field pushes electrons toward one side and away from the other, creating a separation of positive and negative charges inside the object. This redistribution is called induction (electrostatic induction). It explains why the object becomes polarized in the field and can influence nearby charges.

Reflection, absorption, and refraction are about how light interacts with matter, not about moving charges inside an object due to an electric field. Reflection is light bouncing off, absorption is light energy taken in, and refraction is light bending as it passes between materials with different light speeds.