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

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 can because it is the conductor.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

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

In this setup, the metal can is a conductor, and when the negatively charged rod touches it, the excess electrons from the rod can flow into the can. Since the foam cup is an insulator, it does not allow the flow of electrons, so they do not transfer to the foam cup.