One foundational knowledge we should take note in regards to this question is that electrons move for an object to acquire certain charges. (protons are not the one moving!)
So, for both positive and negative charges, it is either a loss of electrons or a gain of electrons.
If you think about both cases, a loss of electrons would make an object to acquire a positive charge as after the loss of electrons, the object would have more protons than electrons, making it to have a positive charge.
For the other case, a gain of electrons would make an object to acquire a negative charge as after the gain of electrons, the object would have more electrons than protons, making it to have a negative charge.
As the case in the question is when the object acquires a positive charge, it means that there was a loss of elections. As electrons do have some masses, a loss of electrons means that the mass of an object decreases (although it is not a lot).
Therefore, the mass of an object decreases when it acquires a positive charge.
Hi,
Thank you for your question.
One foundational knowledge we should take note in regards to this question is that electrons move for an object to acquire certain charges. (protons are not the one moving!)
So, for both positive and negative charges, it is either a loss of electrons or a gain of electrons.
If you think about both cases, a loss of electrons would make an object to acquire a positive charge as after the loss of electrons, the object would have more protons than electrons, making it to have a positive charge.
For the other case, a gain of electrons would make an object to acquire a negative charge as after the gain of electrons, the object would have more electrons than protons, making it to have a negative charge.
As the case in the question is when the object acquires a positive charge, it means that there was a loss of elections. As electrons do have some masses, a loss of electrons means that the mass of an object decreases (although it is not a lot).
Therefore, the mass of an object decreases when it acquires a positive charge.
Does this answer your question?