Goal: Hone the concept of a conductor
Source: 283-225, Charge induced in a neutral conductor
A positive charge +Q is placed outside a neutral conductor. Inside the
conductor is a cavity containing no charge. What is the net charge on
the surface bounding the cavity?
- A positive charge +Q
- A positive charge +q < +Q
- Zero charge
- A negative charge |-q| < |+Q|
- A negative charge -Q
- Cannot determine the charge.
Commentary:
Answer
(3) Students have difficulty envisioning induced charge distributions,
especially when the conductor has an irregular shape.