In the notes on Charges and Matter, we saw how to charge a pair of conductors using induction. The relevant figure is copied to the right. Is it possible to charge a pair of insulators using induction? Why or why not?

• Electrons in an insulator are tightly bound to the nucleus.
• Charges cannot move freely through an insulator.

• An explanation for whether it is possible to charge a pair of insulators using induction.

• We are talking about pure insulators, so we can use the facts listed.
• By pure insulators, we mean there are no electrons on the surface that are not bound to any nuclei.
• By induction, we mean the process shown in the figure to the right.

• We can model the atoms in an insulator as little ovals, that show when one side of the atom is more positive or negative than the other side. When ovals are not shown, this will just mean the atoms are not polarized.
• We can use a similar diagram as the induction figure in the notes, since we assume it is the same process.

We show the analogous “induction with insulators” diagram to the right. We knew from the facts that electrons cannot move freely between insulators, which is one of the key differences between insulators and conductors. At time $t=t_1$, when the connected balls are moved close the charged object, electrons can flow from one conductor to the other, but for insulators the electrons are bound to their nuclei, and the insulators do not charge.