An uncharged metal sphere, A, is on an insulating base. A second sphere, B, of the same size, shape, and material carrying charge Q is brought close to, but not touching, sphere A. Describe what happens to the charges on A and B as they are brought close but not touching. If we now remove sphere B and place it far away, what is the charge on sphere A

Question

Physics

Raul Carpenter

3 March, 19:15

An uncharged metal sphere, A, is on an insulating base. A second sphere, B, of the same size, shape, and material carrying charge Q is brought close to, but not touching, sphere A. Describe what happens to the charges on A and B as they are brought close but not touching. If we now remove sphere B and place it far away, what is the charge on sphere A

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Gilberto Olson · Answer 1

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Explanation:

If we bring the charged sphere B close to, but not touching it, to the uncharged sphere A, as charges can move freely on the conductor, a charge - Q will be built on the outer surface of the sphere A, facing to sphere B. As the sphere A must remain neutral, a charge Q will be built on the surface, on the side farther to the sphere B, as the following condition must be met:

Q + (-Q) = 0.

If we now remove sphere B, and place it far away, there will be a charge redistribution within sphere A, making to disappear the separation between Q and - Q. The total charge on sphere A must be 0, as there is no charge transfer from sphere B to sphere A.