Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge o
ID: 2273584 • Letter: C
Question
Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge of +7q. Sphere B carries a charge of -q. Sphere C carries no net charge. Spheres A and B are touched together and then separated. Sphere C is then touched to sphere A and separated from it. Lastly, sphere C is touched to sphere B and separated from it. (a)What is the ratio of the final charge on sphere C to q? What is the ratio of the final total charge on the three spheres to q (b) before they are allowed to touch each other and (c) after they have touched?
Explanation / Answer
a) After A touches B each will have -q/2 charge
After C touches A each will have -q/4
After C touches B each will have -3q/7
b) Before the net charge is -2q + q = -q
c) after touching -3q/7 - 3q/7 -q/4 = -q