Correct answer is B but please explain. A neutral spherical conductor is held eq

Question

Correct answer is B but please explain.

A neutral spherical conductor is held equidistant from two fixed charges of equal magnitude and opposite sign, as shown in the figure to the right. Taking into account the polarization of the conductor, which statement describes the direction of the electric force on the conductor? neutral conductor (A) The electric force on the conductor is in the ty-direction B) The electric force on the conductor is in the -y-direction. (C) There is no electric force on the conductor. -O O- x

Explanation / Answer

Polarization of a Conductor.

Suppose you place a positively charged rod next to a conductor, as shown. The negative charge carriers inside the conductor will be attracted to the positive charge, and because they are free to move where they like, negative charge will start to build up on the surface facing the positive charge.

Due to this effect, positive charge will induce towards -q charge and negative charge towards +q.

Then there will be attractive force between induced positive charge and -q and will be directed towards -x-axis and -y-axis.

Similarly,

there will be attractive force between induced negative charge and +q and will be directed towards +x-axis and -y-axis.

Now these force x-components are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign, so they cancel each other.

Hence net force will be towards -y-direction.

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