If identical metal spheres are in contact, any excess charge will be distributed

Question

If identical metal spheres are in contact, any excess charge will be distributed evenly between them. Three, separate identical metal spheres have the following net charge. A has charge - 3 q, B has charge + 3q, and C has no net charge. a) What is the final charge on each sphere if all three spheres are touching each other at the same time? Explain. b) Start over again, with the same original charges on each sphere. What is the final charge on each sphere if C is touched to B, removed, and then C touched to A? Explain what happens in each step. c) Start over again. What is the final charge on each sphere is C is touched to A, removed, and then C touched to B? Explain what happens in each step.

Explanation / Answer

a) If three of them are touched to each other simultaneously, Net charge on each of them would be,

(-3+2)/3 = -0.33 q

b) When C is touched to B each of them will have even charge which is +1 q each. Now if C is removed and touched to A then A and C will have even charge which is, (-3q +1q)/2 = - q.

A = -1q

B = +1 q

C = -1q

c) If C is touched to A then, C and A both will have (-3 q)/ 2 = - 1.5 q Charge each. Now if C is touched to B, then each of them will have charge (-1.5 q +2 q )/ 2 = +0.25 q Charge.

So final charge on each of them, A = -1.5 q;

B = +0.25 q

C = +0.25 q

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