Question

A student is investigating how a negatively charged rubber rod affects charges distributed on two positively charged steel spheres that are in contact, as shown in the diagram below.






Which process will occur between the rubber rod and the sphere is it placed near?
Responses
A Conduction, because they are not touching.Conduction, because they are not touching.
B Induction, because they are not touching.Induction, because they are not touching.
C Friction, because one material is being rubbed on another.Friction, because one material is being rubbed on another.
D Insulation, because the spheres are touching

Answer 1

The correct response is:

**B Induction, because they are not touching.**

When the negatively charged rubber rod is brought near the positively charged steel spheres without touching them, the electric field from the rod will cause a redistribution of charges within the spheres. This is known as induction, where the presence of the charged rubber rod induces a separation of charges in the spheres (positive charges moving closer to the rod and negative charges moving away), even though the spheres and the rod do not make physical contact.