A student is investigating what happens when a neutral metal sphere sitting on an insulated stand is touched by a negatively charged rod. The set up for the student's investigation is shown in the diagram.
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What will happen to the excess electrons when the negatively charged rod touches the metal sphere?
Responses
The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and stay clustered in the area where the rod touches the sphere.
The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and stay clustered in the area where the rod touches the sphere.
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and stay clustered near the end of the rod that touches the sphere.
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and stay clustered near the end of the rod that touches the sphere.
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and spread out along the rod.
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and spread out along the rod.
The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out on the sphere.
The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out on the sphere.
The correct response is: The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out on the sphere.
The correct answer is: The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out on the sphere.
When the negatively charged rod touches the neutral metal sphere, the excess electrons on the rod will repel the electrons in the metal sphere. This repulsion causes the excess electrons to move from the rod to the sphere.
Since like charges repel each other, the excess electrons on the sphere will spread out on the surface of the sphere, evenly distributing themselves. This is because the electrons repel each other and want to maintain as much distance as possible.
So, the excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out on the sphere, resulting in a uniform distribution of electrons on the surface of the sphere.