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

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

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

From the left to the right of the cans

Answer 1

When a negatively charged balloon is brought near the left soda can, it induces a separation of charges within the conductor. The negatively charged electrons in the soda cans will be repelled by the negatively charged balloon, causing them to move away from the balloon.

Since the balloon is near the left can, the negatively charged electrons will move from the left can towards the right can. Therefore, the correct response is:

From the left to the right of the cans.