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

image 3845826dd9f243109fa16213cd34e0d4

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

(1 point)
Responses

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 stay close together.
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 stay close together.

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

Answer 1

When a negatively charged rod touches a neutral metal sphere, the excess electrons from the negatively charged rod are repelled by the excess negative charges on the rod and will move to the neutral metal sphere. This transfer will occur until the two objects reach the same electric potential.

Given these considerations, the correct response is:

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

This is because the electrons move from the negatively charged rod to the neutral sphere, causing the sphere to become negatively charged as the electrons distribute evenly across its surface.