This problem explores the behavior of charge on conductors. We take as an example a long conducting rod suspended by insulating strings. Assume that the rod is initially electrically neutral. For convenience we will refer to the left end of the rod as end A, and the right end of the rod as end B. In the answer options for this problem, "strongly attracted/repelled" means "attracted/repelled with a force of magnitude similar to that which would exist between two charged balls. A small metal ball is given a negative charge, then brought near (i. e., within about 1/10 the length of the rod) to end A of the rod. What happens to end A of the rod when the ball approaches it closely this first time?

Question

Nancy Sawyer

Physics

2 July, 18:30

This problem explores the behavior of charge on conductors. We take as an example a long conducting rod suspended by insulating strings. Assume that the rod is initially electrically neutral. For convenience we will refer to the left end of the rod as end A, and the right end of the rod as end B. In the answer options for this problem, "strongly attracted/repelled" means "attracted/repelled with a force of magnitude similar to that which would exist between two charged balls. A small metal ball is given a negative charge, then brought near (i. e., within about 1/10 the length of the rod) to end A of the rod. What happens to end A of the rod when the ball approaches it closely this first time?

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Answers (1)

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Jakob Moody · Answer 1

rod end A is strongly attracted towards the balls

rod end B is weakly repelled by the ball as it is at a greater distance

Explanation:

When the ball with a negative charge approaches the A end of the neutral bar, the charge of the same sign will repel and as they move they move to the left end, leaving the rod with a positive charge at the A end and a negative charge of equal value at end B.

Therefore rod end A is strongly attracted towards the balls and

rod end B is weakly repelled by the ball as it is at a greater distance