A teacher places a metal can on top of an insulating foam cup and touches the side of the foam cup with a negatively charged rod. The setup is shown in the picture below.

Question

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

(1 point)
Responses

The electrons will transfer to the can because it is an insulator.
The electrons will transfer to the can because it is an insulator.

The electrons will transfer to the foam cup because it is an insulator.
The electrons will transfer to the foam cup because it is an insulator.

The electrons will transfer to the can because it is the conductor.
The electrons will transfer to the can because it is the conductor.

The electrons will transfer to the foam cup because it is a conductor.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The electrons will transfer to the can because it is the conductor.

In this scenario, the rod is negatively charged, meaning it has an excess of electrons. When the rod touches the metal can, which is a conductor, the excess electrons will transfer from the rod to the can. This is because conductors allow charge carriers (electrons) to move freely, while insulators (like the foam cup) do not allow the movement of electrons.