Does a Positively Charged Ball Attract a Neutral Metal Ball?

[taisiu]

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~~

 

[kuruman]

Your reasoning is correct.

 

[taisiu]

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!

 

[kuruman]

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