A student is investigating the distribution of charge in a conductor. He attaches two unopened soda cans on their sides to two foam cups with tape. He sets the soda cans with the cups onto a tabletop so that they are touching one another. Then he moves a negatively charged balloon close to the left soda can. The set up for the investigation is shown.

Question

There is a negatively charged balloon on the left, on the right are two cans sitting sideways next to each other touching. they are both on top of styrofoam cups.

How do the electrons move in the soda cans?

A. They move to the top of both cans.

B. They move to the bottom in both cans.

C. They will move from the left can to the right the can

D. They will move from the right can to the left the can

Answer 1

When the negatively charged balloon is brought close to the left soda can, it induces a separation of charges within the cans due to electrostatic induction. The presence of the negatively charged balloon repels the electrons in the left soda can, causing them to move away from the left can toward the right can, where there will be a relative deficit of electrons.

As a result:

• Electrons in the left soda can will be repelled and move toward the right soda can.
• The left soda can will become positively charged (due to the loss of electrons), while the right soda can will become negatively charged (due to the gain of electrons).

So the correct answer is:

C. They will move from the left can to the right can.