Conductors vs Insulators

[labqi]

Hey guys
I hope studying is going well. When I was doing the PR online course, I think I may have misunderstood a concept. I was under the impression that insulators can't transfer charge. But they can be polarized. But after doing some TBR, I noticed that the insulator (glass rod) rubbed with silk (conductor) actually has the electrons stripped away. My question is, can insulators transfer electrons to conductors then? If thats the case, how is it insulating if it has the ability to lose electrons. I thought if anything, the electrons would be transferred to an insulator.

I hope someone can clear this up, it is really nagging on me.

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[syoung]

All materials can transfer electrons. IIRC, conductors simply have many mobile electrons that can jump and pass from one side to another... whereas insulators have very very few mobile electrons.

 

[labqi]

Thanks! Are we responsible to know the Lenz law. TBR is destroying me in the electrostatics section. It is nothing like TPR, or Kaplan.

 

[syoung]

Definitely know Lenz's Law

 

[labqi]

FML....Ill try to watch some videos on youtube I guess.
Thanks for the insight in any regard!

 

[dudewheresmymd]

Definitely know Lenz's Law

conceptually right, not calculations?

 

[syoung]

Calculations like....? The exact magnitude of magnetic force generated?

 

[dudewheresmymd]

Calculations like....? The exact magnitude of magnetic force generated?

yeah?

 

[syoung]

I take it back.
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/345244/data/pstopics.pdf
Lenz's law is not on there... But I think it's still a useful topic. Maybe they will only test you conceptually, not quantitatively.

On the flip side, know Gauss's Law