Consider two identical conducting spheres whose surfaces are separated by a small distance. One sphere is given a large net positive charge, while the other is given a small net positive charge. It is found that the force between them is attractive even though both spheres have net charges of the same sign. Explain how this is possible.

Question

Marie Ali

Physics

25 September, 23:22

Consider two identical conducting spheres whose surfaces are separated by a small distance. One sphere is given a large net positive charge, while the other is given a small net positive charge. It is found that the force between them is attractive even though both spheres have net charges of the same sign. Explain how this is possible.

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Aditya Melton · Answer 1

Answer

The positive charge on one sphere will attract an electron on another sphere. And since the positive charge on other sphere is small, so the part of the sphere which is near the first sphere will be distributed with the electron.

We know the electric force is larger as the distance decrease.

Since the electron part of the 2nd sphere near the first sphere more than the positive part.

So the net force is attracting.