Question

A negatively charged rod is brought close to two metal spheres which are in contact with each other, and the spheres are separated in the presence of the rod. Then

1. The sphere close to the rod acquires a negative charge and the other sphere acquires a positive charge.
2. The sphere close to the rod acquires a positive charge and the other sphere acquires a negative charge.
3. Both spheres will acquire positive charge.
4. Both the spheres will acquire negative charge.

Answer 1

Hint:- We all know that like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other. These charges are induced when the rod is brought closer to the two spheres. Find out which sphere will have which of the two charges.

Complete step-by-step solution :

Here we can see that the rod is coming close to the two spheres. These two spheres are not currently charged. When the rod is brought closer to the sphere the sphere would separate from each other as shown in the figure below.
Here the two spheres because of the presence of negatively charged rod will have some charge on them. The sphere 1 will acquire a positive charge and the sphere two will acquire a negative charge. See the image below:

Here the rod will induce a positive charge in Sphere1 and a negative charge would be induced in Sphere 2.

Final Answer: Option “2” is correct. The sphere close to the rod acquires a positive charge and the other sphere acquires a negative charge.
Note:-
Here we need to give proper reason as to why the two spheres get separated due to the presence of a negatively charged rod. Explain about the charges induced in the two spheres due to the presence of the rod.