An electroscope is a device that detects static electricity by using thin metal or plastic leaves, which separate when charged. ... Electrical charges move to the metal and down to the foil leaves, which then repel each other. Since each leaf has the same charge (positive or negative), they repel each other.

What is an electroscope and how does it work?

The electroscope is an early scientific instrument used to detect the presence of electric charge on a body. It detects charge by the movement of a test object due to the Coulomb electrostatic force on it. The amount of charge on an object is proportional to its voltage.

How does the electroscope work during conduction?

When the process of charging by conduction is complete, the electroscope acquires an excess negative charge due to the movement of electrons onto it from the metal sphere. The metal sphere is still charged negatively, only it has less excess negative charge than it had prior to the conduction charging process.