What is the charge on each identical conducting sphere after they are brought into contact and separated, given one has a charge of -10 microcoulombs and the other +6 microcoulombs?

What is the charge on each identical conducting sphere after they are brought into contact and separated, given one has a charge of -10 microcoulombs and the other +6 microcoulombs?

• A. -4 microcoulombs
• B. -2 microcoulombs
• C. 0 microcoulombs
• D. +4 microcoulombs

Answer: (B)

When two identical conducting spheres are brought into contact, they share their charges equally due to the principle of charge redistribution in conductors. Initially, one sphere has a charge of -10 microcoulombs and the other has +6 microcoulombs. To determine the resulting charge on each sphere after they are touched and separated, first, calculate the total charge before they come into contact. The total charge is the sum of the charges from both spheres: -10 microcoulombs + 6 microcoulombs = -4 microcoulombs. Since both spheres are identical, they will share this total charge evenly when brought into contact. To find the charge on each sphere after they are separated, divide the total charge by 2: -4 microcoulombs / 2 = -2 microcoulombs. Thus, after contact and separation, each conducting sphere will have a charge of -2 microcoulombs. This outcome reflects the principle that charge is conserved and equally distributed among identical conductors in contact.

When two identical conducting spheres are brought into contact, they share their charges equally due to the principle of charge redistribution in conductors. Initially, one sphere has a charge of -10 microcoulombs and the other has +6 microcoulombs.

To determine the resulting charge on each sphere after they are touched and separated, first, calculate the total charge before they come into contact. The total charge is the sum of the charges from both spheres:

-10 microcoulombs + 6 microcoulombs = -4 microcoulombs.

Since both spheres are identical, they will share this total charge evenly when brought into contact. To find the charge on each sphere after they are separated, divide the total charge by 2:

-4 microcoulombs / 2 = -2 microcoulombs.

Thus, after contact and separation, each conducting sphere will have a charge of -2 microcoulombs. This outcome reflects the principle that charge is conserved and equally distributed among identical conductors in contact.