Question

7. Two metal spheres are suspended from insulating threads. A negatively charged rod is brought near these spheres. One sphere is pushed away from the rod and the other is attracted toward it. Describe the behavior of the spheres.

SOLUTION:
----> {Metal sphere attracted to negative rod is positively charged. Metal sphere repelled by negative rod is also negatively charged. When released, the two spheres will thus move toward each other (opposites attract)

Correct or no?

Answer 1

Maybe. But consider the pushed away sphere being negative, but the attracted sphere being neutral. What would happen then? Remember the spheres are metal, and the charges on it can move about.