Question

A neutral metal ball is suspended by a string. A positively charged insulating rod is placed near the ball, which is observed to be attracted to the rod. This is because:____________.

a. the ball becomes negatively charged by induction
b. the ball becomes positively charged by induction
c. the string is not a perfect insulator
d. there is a rearrangement of the electrons in the ball
e. the number of electrons in the ball is more than the number in the rod

Answer 1

d. there is a rearrangement of the electrons in the ball

Step-by-step explanation:

Inside the neutral metal ball, there are equal no. of positive charges (protons) and negative charges (electrons). Normally, the charges are distributed evenly throughout the ball.

However, when the positively charged insulating rod is brought near, since positive charges and negative charges attract each other, the electrons (-ve charges) in the metal ball moves towards the side nearest to the rod. The metal ball gets attracted to the rod.

a and b are not correct because the rod is insulating, so electrons cannot be transferred between them to induce a net charge in the metal ball. the no. of electrons is unrelated to the attraction between opposite charges , so e is incorrect as well.