Question

When a charged conductor is placed near another conductor (which is connected to the ground), its potential :

• A. always increases.
• B. always decreases.
• C. may increase or decrease.
• D. remains the same.

Answer 1

The correct option is B always decreases.

When a charged conductor is placed near the grounding system, due to induction of charge on the grounded conductor, there is always a drop in the potential.

Because of the connection of conductor with the ground, its potential must be zero but when a charged conductor is placed near it then due to induction of charge replacement occurs inside the grounded conductor.

Hence, a potential difference is created inside of it but it's potential must be equal to zero always because it is grounded.

$\therefore$ A fall in potential occurs to equalize the potential up to ground because its potential always will be dropped.

So, (B) is the correct option.