A student suspends a light, uncharged metal-coated sphere from a stand using an insulating thread. A positively charged rod is brought near to, but does not touch, the sphere.
Which statement correctly describes and explains the behavior of the sphere?
The sphere is attracted to the rod because opposite charges are induced on the side of the sphere closer to the rod.
The sphere is repelled by the rod because like charges are induced on the side of the sphere closer to the rod.
The sphere remains stationary because it is uncharged.
The sphere is attracted to the rod because positive charges are transferred from the rod to the sphere through the air.
452 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 4.2 Electrical quantities, covering 4.2.1a Positive and negative charge, 4.2.1b Charging by friction and detecting charge, 4.2.1c Electrical conductors and insulators, 4.2.1d Electric fields and electric field patterns, 4.2.2a Electric current, charge and measuring current, 4.2.2b Conduction in metals and the direction of current, 4.2.2c Direct current and alternating current, 4.2.3a Electromotive force, 4.2.3b Potential difference and voltmeters, 4.2.4a Resistance, 4.2.4b Resistance of a metallic wire, 4.2.4c Current–voltage graphs, and 4.2.5 Electrical energy and electrical power. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.