A scientist is researching what happens when a neutral metal sphere located on an insulated stand is touched by a negatively charged rod. The set up for the scientist’s experiment is shown in the picture below.

Question

What will happen to the excess electrons when the negatively charged rod touches the metal sphere?

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 stay close together.

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

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 spread out.

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

Answer 1

When the negatively charged rod touches the neutral metal sphere, the excess electrons from the rod will flow to the sphere. This occurs because like charges repel, and the rod has an excess of negative charge (electrons) which will push electrons into the neutral sphere.

Once the electrons transfer to the sphere, they will spread out due to the repulsion between like charges, causing the sphere to become negatively charged and achieve an equilibrium distribution of the added electrons.

Thus, the correct answer is:

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