A small uncharged metallic sphere is positioned exactly at a point midway between two equal and opposite point charges. If the sphere is slightly displaced towards the positive charge and released then

Question

A small uncharged metallic sphere is positioned exactly at a point midway between two equal and opposite point charges. If the sphere is slightly displaced towards the positive charge and released then (A) it will oscillate about its original position (B) it will move further towards the positive charge (C) its electric potential energy will decrease and kinetic energy will increase (D) its total energy remains constant but is non-zero

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Initially the force on the sphere is equal due to both

- v e

and

+ v e

charge.

∴

Net force

= 0

On displacing the sphere towards the

+ v e

charge, force on sphere due to

+ v e

charge will be more than due to the

- v e

positive charge, because it is nearer.
So, sphere will move further to the charge.

Q. A small uncharged metallic sphere is positioned exactly at a point midway between two equal and opposite point charges. If the sphere is slightly displaced towards the positive charge and released then

it will oscillate about its original position

it will move further towards the positive charge

its electric potential energy will decrease and kinetic energy will increase

its total energy remains constant but is non-zero

Initially the force on the sphere is equal due to both −ve and +ve charge. ∴ Net force =0 On displacing the sphere towards the +ve charge, force on sphere due to +ve charge will be more than due to the −ve positive charge, because it is nearer. So, sphere will move further to the charge.