SECTION : Charging by Induction and Shielding  

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This java simulation illustrates how it is possible to charge a conductor without having direct contact. Here we are looking at a "hollow conductor", for example a hollow metallic cylinder, with an external charge inside of the hollow part of the conductor.

We charge by induction by first introducing the external charge into the hollow space in the interior of the conductor. If the external charge is large enough, the charges within the conductor will be separated. Next, we ground the conductor, which allows charges of the same sign as the object to flow away. Finally, we unground the conductor, and discard the object. The conductor is now charged, and has the opposite sign of the original object.