A scientist wipes a rubber rod with a wool cloth which leads to a negative charge on the rod. After this, the scientist touches the rod to a neutral metal sphere. This will transfer the negative charges from the rod to the sphere:
image 63f9196b581c4f17bbe56cfd6ddd781f
Which statement explains what will happen to the negative charge, and why?
(1 point)
Responses
It will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere, because of the conducting nature of the sphere and similar charges push away from each other.
It will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere, because of the conducting nature of the sphere and similar charges push away from each other.
It will slowly move to the bottom of the sphere, because the charges are heavy and will sink to the bottom.
It will slowly move to the bottom of the sphere, because the charges are heavy and will sink to the bottom.
It will remain only on one spot of the sphere, because the low conductivity of the metal prevents the charges from spreading out.
It will remain only on one spot of the sphere, because the low conductivity of the metal prevents the charges from spreading out.
It will only spread to the air around the sphere, because negative charges need to occupy a big area.
The correct answer is:
It will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere because of the conducting nature of the sphere and similar charges push away from each other.
When the scientist touches the rod to the neutral metal sphere, the negative charges will transfer from the rod to the sphere. Since the metal sphere is a conductor, the negative charges will spread uniformly over its surface. This is because like charges repel each other and will naturally distribute as far apart as possible on the conducting surface. Therefore, the negative charge will not remain in one spot and will instead spread out over the entire surface of the sphere.
A, B, C, or D
Apologies for the confusion. The correct answer is A: It will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere, because of the conducting nature of the sphere and similar charges push away from each other.
The correct answer is:
It will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere, because of the conducting nature of the sphere and similar charges push away from each other.
When the scientist touches the negatively charged rod to the neutral metal sphere, the negative charges will transfer from the rod to the sphere. This is because metals are good conductors of electricity, meaning they contain free electron that can easily move. As a result, the negative charges will distribute themselves evenly over the surface of the sphere. This is because electrons repel each other, so they will naturally spread apart as far as they can on the conducting surface. This process is known as electrostatic induction. Therefore, the negative charges will not only remain in one spot, sink to the bottom, or spread only to the air around the sphere, but instead, they will evenly distribute themselves over the entire surface of the sphere.