Triboelectric Charging of Plastic

Steps:

• Rubbing transfers electrons between materials due to differences in electron affinity.
• Plastic typically holds onto electrons more than cloth, so electrons move from cloth to plastic.
• Gaining electrons gives the plastic a net negative charge.
• Protons remain fixed in nuclei and do not transfer.

Why A is correct:

• In the triboelectric series, plastic gains electrons from cloth, resulting in a negative charge, as charge is due to electron imbalance.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Protons do not move between objects; gaining them is impossible in rubbing.
• C: Plastic gains, not loses, electrons when rubbed with cloth.
• D: Losing protons would make it positive, not negative, and protons cannot be lost in this process.

Final answer: A