Question

Consider a neutral conducting sphere. A positive point charge is placed outside the sphere. Then the net charge on the sphere will be

• A. Negative and distributed uniformly over its surface.
• B. Negative and appears only at the point on the sphere which is closest to the point charge.
• C. Negative and distributed non-uniformly over the entire surface of sphere.
• D. Zero

Answer 1

The correct option is D Zero

If we place a charge near a neutral conducting body, then
equal and opposite charges will be induced on the surface of conductor to make sure that net electric field inside the conductor must remain zero.
(Electric field lines never enter inside a conductor)

The surface of sphere facing the point charge will become negatively charged and an equal positive charge will appear on the opposite face.


$$\begin{array}{c}\text{Why this question?}\\ \text{Although the charges might get induced on a conductor}\\ \text{but net charge on conductor due to induction}\\ \text{will always follow law of conservation of charge.}\\ \text{Hence total charge on sphere remains zero.}\end{array}$$