A student investigates how charge is distributed in a conductor. She tapes two unopened cans of soda onto foam cups as shown below. The cans are touching each other. She places a negatively charged balloon near the can on the left as shown.

Question

In which direction do the negatively charged atoms inside the soda cans move?

(1 point)
Responses

From the left to the right of the cans
From the left to the right of the cans

From the top to bottom of the cans
From the top to bottom of the cans

From the bottom to the top of the cans
From the bottom to the top of the cans

From the right to the left of the cans

Answer 1

When a negatively charged balloon is brought near the can on the left, it induces a separation of charges within the cans. The negatively charged electrons in the can on the left will be repelled by the balloon and will move away from it. This means that they will move towards the right, into the can on the right.

Thus, the correct answer is:

From the left to the right of the cans.