Question

7. A neutral aluminum rod is at rest on a foam insulating base. A negatively charged balloon is brought near one end of the rod but not in direct contact with it. In what way, if any, will the charges in the rod be affected?

Answer 1

Answer:

If a negatively charged balloon is brought near one end of the rod but not in direct contact, then the negative charges on the balloon repel the same amount of negative charges on the end of the rod that is close to the balloon, and the positive charges stay at the balloon-side of the rod. The total charge of the rod is still zero, but the distribution of the charges are now non-uniform.