If a small amount of negative charge is placed near a neutral hollow metal sphere, where does the excess charge distribute seconds later?

If a small amount of negative charge is placed near a neutral hollow metal sphere, where does the excess charge distribute seconds later?

• A. It distributes evenly over the outside of the sphere.
• B. It concentrates at the point nearest the external charge.
• C. It moves to the inside surface.
• D. It leaves the sphere.

Answer: (A)

In a conductor, charges rearrange themselves so that the electric field inside the metal is zero. For a hollow metal sphere with no charge inside the cavity, any excess or induced charge ends up on the outside surface, while the inner surface remains uncharged. When a small amount of negative charge is brought near the sphere, the electrons on the sphere move in response, but they do so by placing the excess on the exterior surface, where they repel each other and spread as evenly as possible around the outer boundary. The interior remains field-free, and the charge does not stay on the inner surface or leave the sphere. Hence, seconds later the excess charge is distributed over the outside of the sphere.

In a conductor, charges rearrange themselves so that the electric field inside the metal is zero. For a hollow metal sphere with no charge inside the cavity, any excess or induced charge ends up on the outside surface, while the inner surface remains uncharged. When a small amount of negative charge is brought near the sphere, the electrons on the sphere move in response, but they do so by placing the excess on the exterior surface, where they repel each other and spread as evenly as possible around the outer boundary. The interior remains field-free, and the charge does not stay on the inner surface or leave the sphere. Hence, seconds later the excess charge is distributed over the outside of the sphere.