Two identical pith balls supported by insulating threads hang side by side and close together, as shown below. One is positively charged; the other is neutral.We can conclude that
A)all field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball.
B)some of the field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball.
C)none of the field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball.
D)positive charge is transferred along the field lines until both balls have equal charges.
E)positive charge is transferred along the field lines until both balls hang along vertical lines.

Question

Two identical pith balls supported by insulating threads hang side by side and close together, as shown below.  One is positively charged; the other is neutral.We can conclude that
A)all field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball. 
B)some of the field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball. 
C)none of the field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball end on the neutral pith ball. 
D)positive charge is transferred along the field lines until both balls have equal charges. 
E)positive charge is transferred along the field lines until both balls hang along vertical lines.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a positively charged pith ball hangs next to a neutral pith ball, the positively charged pith ball will induce a negative charge on the side of the neutral pith ball closest to it and a positive charge on the opposite side of the neutral pith ball. This polarization of charge will attract the positive charges on the positively charged pith ball and cause some of the field lines leaving the positively charged pith ball to end on the neutral pith ball. However, not all of the field lines will end on the neutral pith ball because the threads supporting the pith balls are insulating and prevent the charges from flowing freely between the two balls.

Two Identical Pith Balls Supported by Insulating Threads Hang Side