Excess charge is placed on a metal sphere standing on an insulating stand. Where does that charge settle?

1. A metal is a conductor, so its charge carriers are free to move through it. 2. All the excess charges carry the same sign, and like charges repel each other. 3. Each charge pushes the others as far away as it can get. 4. The result is that the charge spreads out over the outside surface of the object. 5. On a sphere the shape is regular, so the spread is even all the way round. 6. Charge staying at the point of contact is what happens on an insulator, not on a conductor. 7. For irregular shapes the charge concentrates near sharp points, which is why buildings carry lightning rods. _Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 10 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 16: Electrostatics_