Does a Positively Charged Ball Attract a Neutral Metal Ball?

AI Thread Summary
A positively charged ball will attract a neutral metal ball due to electrostatic induction, where electrons in the metal ball move towards the charged ball, creating an attractive force. This phenomenon is similar to how charged objects can polarize insulators like paper. The discussion highlights that while polarization is commonly demonstrated with insulators, the attraction of conductors is less frequently shown, possibly due to the visibility of effects in insulators being more pronounced. Observations of conductor attraction are less common in educational materials and online resources. Overall, the attraction between a charged ball and a neutral conductor is valid and occurs, but may not be as easily observable as with insulators.
taisiu
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Homework Statement


When a positively charged ball is brought near a neutral conductor(a light metal ball), will the metal ball be attracted towards the charged ball?


Homework Equations



This is electrostatic induction.


The Attempt at a Solution


Like a charged rod can attract the paper(insulation) by the polarization of atoms.
So similarly, I think the lots of electrons will move to one side of metal ball and the whole metal ball will be attracted to the +ve charged ball. The attractive force is even greater than the insulator like plastic ball.

Thanks~~
 
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Your reasoning is correct.
 
kuruman said:
Your reasoning is correct.

Thanks
However, in my text there's only description of polarization but no description of the attraction of conductors. Same thing happens on the web. Also, people always show attraction of water flow, paper, hair;but not conductor.
So why's that? Is it because the attraction of insulator is much larger and observable?
Thanks!
 
taisiu said:
Thanks
However, in my text there's only description of polarization but no description of the attraction of conductors. Same thing happens on the web. Also, people always show attraction of water flow, paper, hair;but not conductor.
So why's that? Is it because the attraction of insulator is much larger and observable?
Thanks!
Yes, it is easier to see flowing water being deflected electrostatically than a metal conductor. For conductor attraction on the web, see for example

http://www.physicsdemos.com/demo.php?demo_id=400&path_id=69
 
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