CHARGED INSULATOR AND A GROUNDED CONDUCTORINDUCED CHARGE A c

CHARGED INSULATOR AND A GROUNDED CONDUCTOR-INDUCED CHARGE -A charged insulating sphere and a grounded conducting sphere are initially far apart. The charged insulator is then moved near the grounded conductor as shown. A student makes the following statement: \"When the charged insulator is brought close to the grounded conductor, it will cause the negative charges in the conductor to move to the side closest to the insulator. If the charged insulator is taken away, the conductor will be left with a negative charge evenly distributed over its surface. \" What, if anything, is wrong with this statement? If something is wrong, explain the error and how to correct it. If the statement is valid, explain why.

Solution

The net charge on the conductor will be zero ,when the insulator is taken away since any charge that is induced to move onto the conductor while the insulator is nearby will be free to leave the conductor as the insulator moves away.