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A metal sphere carrying 100 excess electrons is touched to an identical metal sphere carrying 50 excess electrons, then separated. Since the two spheres are identical conductors, the excess electrons redistribute evenly. How many excess electrons does each sphere carry afterward?
A150 excess electrons on each sphere
B75 excess electrons on each sphere
C50 excess electrons on each sphere
D100 excess electrons on each sphere
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. 75 excess electrons on each sphere
1. The total number of excess electrons on the two identical spheres is 100 + 50 = 150.
2. Touching two identical conducting spheres splits any excess charge evenly between them.
3. Each sphere ends up with 150 divided by 2, which is 75 excess electrons.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 18 "Static Electricity", section Transfer and Separation of Charge_
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