Question

State a prediction for what electrostatic forces the ultra-charged metal rod might exert on neutral pith balls (magnitude and direction)?

Answer 1

When a negatively charged rod is brought close to two neutral metal balls that are in contact with each other, they will acquire opposite charges. If the ball further away from the rod is momentarily grounded, it will lose its charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a negatively charged rod is brought close to two neutral metal balls that are in contact with each other, the balls will experience an electrostatic force due to the electric field of the charged rod. The force will cause the charges in the metal balls to redistribute.

1. The ball closest to the rod will acquire a positive charge.
2. The ball further away from the rod will acquire a negative charge.

If the ball further away from the rod is momentarily grounded while the rod is still there, it will lose its negative charge and become neutral again, as the grounding provides a path for the excess negative charge to flow away.