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While solving some problems on electrostatics, I came across this question :

Two balls carrying charges of +3 $\mu C$ and -3$\mu C$ attract each other with a force $F$. If a charge of +3$\mu C$ is added to both the balls, the force between the balls will be

A. 2$F$

B. $F$

C. $F$/2

D. Zero

Out of these, the obvious option seems to be zero, as the charge on one ball cancels out, and this is the answer given in the solution. But on deeper thought, I realized that the charged ball could still attract the neutral ball through the phenomenon of induction. So, the answer should not be zero. Am I thinking correctly? And if I am, then what could be the correct answer?

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  • $\begingroup$ if the balls are small enough (ie can be represented as points) then 0 will be correct as there can be no separation between the induced positive and negative charges $\endgroup$
    – danimal
    Apr 22, 2015 at 15:13
  • $\begingroup$ Since your question ends with the phrase "correct answer", the answer to this MCQ which would be deemed "correct", depends on the level of the textbook/course. While your reasoning about induction is correct, you are almost certainly over-thinking this if this happens to be a MCQ in introductory electrostatics. Again, you are not overthinking it if the course actually taught you enough EM to calculate the effects of induction. But if you are looking for the physically correct answer, then you are right, there would be an attraction due to induction (small as it may be). $\endgroup$
    – 299792458
    Apr 22, 2015 at 18:24

2 Answers 2

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In this question the force F has to be calculated using coulomb's law.In coulomb's law it clearly states that both the 02 bodies should be charged.So in this question one will gain charge up to 6 uC and the other will be zero.So there will be no force between them.

The question has not mentioned whether the two balls are insulators or conductors.It should probably be insulators.that's why the force was zero.

But certain insulators can be charged by induction. Then the force between them is not due to electrostatic force but due to the polarization of insulator molecules.

For example, running water from a tap can be bent if you keep a charged rod (say a charged plastic comb).Water is neutral and the rod has a charge.But still it bends.It is because water is a polar molecule and that the like charges between the molecule and the rod repel while unlike charges attract.

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Induced charges are possible only if the balls are conductors. Maybe the balls are insulators, in which case the force between them is zero.

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  • $\begingroup$ Well, dielectric materials will also result in a force, much smaller though. $\endgroup$
    – mikuszefski
    Apr 22, 2015 at 15:36
  • $\begingroup$ Yeah, it will be much smaller compared to F. Zero is the closest answer $\endgroup$
    – Goobs
    Apr 22, 2015 at 18:03

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