Jack rubs a balloon on his hair and it causes the electrons to move to the balloon making the balloon have a negative charge. He takes the negatively charged balloon and touches a styrofoam cup that has a metal can of soda on top of it.

Question

How do the electrons move?

(1 point)
Responses

The electrons will move and spread out through the cup and to the can. This is because the styrofoam cup is a conductor.
The electrons will move and spread out through the cup and to the can. This is because the styrofoam cup is a conductor.

The electrons will stay on one negatively charged spot and not spread out. This is because the styrofoam cup is an insulator.
The electrons will stay on one negatively charged spot and not spread out. This is because the styrofoam cup is an insulator.

The electrons will stay on the balloon and not transfer to the cup at all. This is because the styrofoam cup is a conductor.
The electrons will stay on the balloon and not transfer to the cup at all. This is because the styrofoam cup is a conductor.

The electrons will move through the can first and then spread to the styrofoam cup. This is because the metal can is a conductor.
The electrons will move through the can first and then spread to the styrofoam cup. This is because the metal can is a conductor.
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Answer 1

The correct response is:

The electrons will move and spread out through the cup and to the can. This is because the styrofoam cup is a conductor.

However, this statement is not accurate regarding the properties of the styrofoam cup. Styrofoam is actually an insulator, meaning it does not allow electrons to flow freely.

The phenomenon that occurs here is due to the interaction of the negatively charged balloon with the metallic can. When Jack brings the negatively charged balloon near the metal can, the electrons in the can are repelled (since like charges repel), causing a redistribution of charge within the can. The can, being a conductor, allows the electrons to move freely, and as a result, the can becomes positively charged. The styrofoam cup does not conduct electricity, so the electrons do not spread through the cup.

Given that context, the most accurate response should indicate the movement of electrons between the balloon and the metal can, acknowledging that styrofoam does not facilitate the movement of charge. But since "styrofoam cup is a conductor" is mentioned, it can be misleading.

If you’re looking for a clear-sounding correct statement, while it isn’t an option, it would be more aligned to say: "The electrons will move from the balloon to the metal can because the can is a conductor, while the styrofoam cup does not facilitate the transfer of electrons."