A scientist is researching what happens when a neutral metal sphere located on an insulated stand is touched by a negatively charged rod. What will happen to the excess electrons when the negatively charged rod touches the metal sphere?

Question

The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out
The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and stay close together
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and stay close together
The excess electrons will move from the sphere to the rod and spread out

Answer 1

When a negatively charged rod touches a neutral metal sphere, the excess electrons from the rod will move to the sphere due to the electric potential difference between the two. Since the rod is negatively charged, it has an excess of electrons, and the neutral sphere will become negatively charged as electrons move onto it.

Once the excess electrons transfer from the rod to the sphere, they will spread out over the surface of the sphere because like charges tend to repel each other. Therefore, the correct outcome in this situation is:

The excess electrons will move from the rod to the sphere and spread out.