It indicates that the leaves of the electroscope have received a charge.
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the electroscope has become charged with either positive or negative charges. The like charges repel each other causing the leaves to spread apart.
You can tell that an electroscope is charged by observing the divergence of the leaves. If the leaves spread apart after bringing a charged object close to the electroscope, it indicates that the electroscope has acquired a charge.
the electroscope has acquired a net charge. This charge can be positive or negative, depending on the nature of the object that interacted with the electroscope. The repulsion between the like charges on the leaves causes them to spread apart, indicating the presence of a charge.
When a charged object touches the metal knob of an electroscope, electrons are either transferred to or from the electroscope, causing the metal leaves to gain a net charge. Like charges repel each other, so the leaves spread apart due to the repulsion between the negatively charged leaves. This spreading apart indicates the presence of an electric charge on the electroscope.
If an electroscope is not charged, its leaves will remain in a neutral position, hanging straight down. This is because there is no excess charge to cause the leaves to repel each other and spread apart.
Yes, the leaves of a metal leaf electroscope can be attracted to each other when they acquire the same type of charge. Like charges repel, so if both leaves become positively or negatively charged, they will repel each other.