Physics quiz question: electron charge transfer

Physics 205B Quiz 3, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cf. Giambattista/Richardson/Richardson, Physics, 2/e, Conceptual Question 16.14

A Physics 205B student touches an uncharged metal rod to an isolated, positively charged conducting sphere. As a result electrons are __________ the rod, such that the rod becomes __________ charged.
(A) removed from; positively.
(B) removed from; negatively.
(C) added to; positively.
(D) added to; negatively.
(E) neither transferred to/from; neutrally.
(F) (Not enough information is given.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

Positive charge will be transferred from the positively charged conducting sphere to the initially neutral metal rod. This means that negatively charged electrons will be transferred from the metal rod (making it positively charged) to the conducing sphere (reducing the amount of its positive charge).

Sections 30882, 30883
Exam code: quiz03cDvD
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 6 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 5 students
(E) : 1 student
(F) : 0 students

Success level: 60%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): –0.25