Aluminum Can Polarization

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Place a metal can on a table and bring a charged object near it. What happens? You might be surprised by the result. But we're not going to tell you the answer because you need to try it first. While the result may seem like magic, it is actually simple laws of physics at work. And this Interactive provides insight into those laws. The simple laws that explain the observation help to explain why any charged and neutral object attract. So try the little experiment, then open the Interactive and find out how the laws of physics explain this seemingly magical interaction between the metal can and the charged object. Haven't tried the experiment yet? Well go ahead and click the link. The Physics Classroom police will catch up with you later.