Question

Two neutral metal spheres on wood stands are touching. A negatively charged rod is held directly above the top of the left sphere, not quite touching it. While the rod is there, the right sphere is moved so that the spheres no longer touch. Then the rod is withdrawn. Afterward, what is the charge state of each sphere? Use charge diagrams to explain your answer.

A. Both the spheres are neutral.
B. The left sphere is negatively charged, the right sphere is charged positively.
C. The right sphere is negatively charged, the left sphere is charged positively.
D. Both the spheres are charged positively.
E. Both the spheres are charged negatively.

Answer 1

The right sphere is negatively charged, the left sphere is charged positively.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a negatively charged rod is held above the top of left sphere, the rod will attract positive charges and repel negative charges. As the sphere are initially touching each other so positive charges from the both spheres will moves toward the rod. When we separate the spheres positive charges from right sphere have already moved toward the rod i.e. left sphere, creating a deficiency of positive charges in the right sphere and excessiveness of positive charges in left sphere , hence the right sphere will remain negatively charged and left sphere will remain positively charged.