Question

A metal sphere is suspended from a nylon thread. Initially the metal sphere is uncharged. When a positively charged glass rod is brought close to the metal sphere, the sphere is drawn towards the rod. But if the sphere toches the rod, it suddenly flies away from the rod. Explain, why the sphere is first attracted then repellled?

Answer 1

Since the metal sphere is connected to nylon thread which is negatively charged, some of its negative charge moves to metal ball because of which it gets attracted towards the rod. But by the time that negative charge nullifies it repulses the the rod.