Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Absorbing states govern the charging of vibrated grains
Michael R Swift1, Mike I Smith1
1University of Nottingham, School of Physics and Astronomy, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The electrostatic charging of insulators is notoriously irreproducible. Using experiments and simulations we study the charging of a single bouncing ball on a vibrating surface. We show that a ball's final charge results from a coupling between its chaotic dynamics and its evolving charge distribution. This results in a permanent charge dipole which traps the particle in an "orientational absorbing state" preventing further charging. The variability of each particle's final charge is a direct consequence of this dynamical coupling.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Charging Conductors By Induction
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
Continuous Charge Distributions
The electric charge can also be subjected to an analogical...
Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the aggregate...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Electric Charges
The English physicist William Gilbert studied the phenomenon of static electricity in...

