Two identical metal spheres A and B are connected by a...

Two identical metal spheres $A$ and $B$ are connected by a plastic rod. Both are initially neutral. $1.0 \times 10^{12}$ electrons are added to sphere $A$, then the connecting rod is removed. Afterward, what are the charge of $A$ and the charge of $B ?$

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Key Concepts

Electric Charge Quantization

Electric charge is quantized in discrete amounts, with the charge of one electron being approximately 1.6 × 10?¹? coulombs. This means that when a specific number of electrons is added to an object, its net charge can be calculated by multiplying the number of electrons by the charge of one electron.

Conservation of Charge

The law of conservation of charge states that the total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant. In any process, if electrons are added to one part of the system, the net charge is simply redistributed but not created or destroyed.

Conductors and Insulators

Conductors, such as metals, allow electrons to move freely across their surfaces, whereas insulators prevent the free movement of charge. In this scenario, although the spheres are made of metal (a conductor), the connecting plastic rod is an insulator, which prevents any charge redistribution between the spheres once electrons are added.

Charge Distribution in Isolated Objects

When objects are isolated and not electrically connected by a conductor, any extra charge remains on the object where it was deposited. Here, since the spheres are separated by an insulating rod, the additional electrons remain on sphere A, leaving sphere B unaffected.

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