This problem explores the behavior of charge on realistic (i.e. non-ideal) insul

Question

This problem explores the behavior of charge on realistic (i.e. non-ideal) insulators. We take as an example a long insulating rod suspended by insulating wires. 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 (Figure 1) . In the answer options for this problem, "weakly attracted/repelled" means "attracted/repelled with a force of magnitude similar to that which would exist between two balls, one of which is charged, and the other acquires a small induced charge". An attractive/repulsive force greater than this should be classified as "strongly attracted/repelled".

Part A

A small metal ball is given a negative charge, then brought near (i.e., within a few millimeters) to end A of the rod. What happens to end A of the rod when the ball approaches it closely this first time?

Part B

After several contacts with the charged ball, how is the charge on the rod arranged?

e) none of the above

Part C

How does end A of the rod react when the ball approaches it after it has already made several contacts with the rod, such that a fairly large charge has been deposited at end A?

a) strongly repelled b) strongly attracted c) weakly attracted d) weakly repelled e) neither attracted nor repelled

Explanation / Answer

Part A)

b) strongly attracted

due to presence of a negative charge near end A of the rod, the redistribution of charges inside the rod results in accumulation of large positive charge at end A. hence the two opposite charges attaract each other.

Part B)

e) none of the above

while in contact the charge flows from higher concentration to lower concentration.after a number of contacts, the imbalance of charge vanishes and the two have equal charge.

Part c)

b) strongly attracted

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