Chapter 32, Problem 24A

Three separate pairs of uncharged metal spheres are in contact. A (positively or negatively) charged rod is brought up to the same distance from each set of spheres. Rank the resulting charge on each sphere from greatest positive to greatest negative.

To determine

Ranking of resulting charge from greatest positive to greatest negative.

Answer to Problem 24A

  $B=E,C=D,A=F$

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The property which causes the matter to experience a force, when an object is placed in an electromagnetic field is defined as electric charge.

Separation of opposite charges in an object is defined as polarization.

According to the given situation, a positively charged rod is brought close to the top pair of spheres due to which the negative charge will set up on the sphere A and all the positive charge will build up on sphere B. in case of middle set of spheres, a positively charged rod is brought closer to them and as the spheres C and D are aligned in such a way that the charge will be equally distributed in between them. Lastly, a negatively charged rod is brought closer to the spheres E and F, due to which the sphere E will be positively charged while sphere F will be negatively charged.

Hence, the ranking is given by: $B=E,C=D,A=F$

Conclusion:

Thus, the ranking from greatest positive to greatest negative is $B=E,C=D,A=F$