Gold leaf electroscope, Photo 1 of 4. When an electroscope is not electrically charged and there are no charged objects nearby, the two golden leaves hang loosely at the end of the metal rod (BR9738). When a charged object (such as a hair comb) is brought close to the ball at the top of the rod, the charges in the electroscope separate (electrostatic induction), causing the leaves to spread apart (BR9739). The charges can be transferred to the electroscope by touching the ball with the comb (BR9740) so that the electroscope becomes charged. Its leaves remain separated even after the comb is removed (BR9741).