Electric field problem — Changing the charge on two spheres

AI Thread Summary
Two identical conducting spheres A and B initially carry equal charges and are separated by a large distance. A third uncharged sphere C is touched to sphere A, transferring some charge, and then to sphere B, redistributing the charge further. This process alters the electrostatic force between spheres A and B, which is originally F. After the interactions with sphere C, the force between A and B reduces to 3F/8. Understanding the charge redistribution is key to solving the problem.
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Homework Statement
Two identical conducting spheres A and B carry equal charge. They are separated by a distance much larger than their diameters. A third identical conducting sphere C is uncharged. Sphere C isfirst touched to A, then to B, and finally removed. As a result, the electrostatic force between A and B, which was originally F, becomes:

A. F/2
B. F/4
C. 3F/8
D. F/16
E. 0
Relevant Equations
F=(Ke*Q*q)/r**2
Two identical conducting spheres A and B carry equal charge. They are separated by a distance much larger than their diameters. A third identical conducting sphere C is uncharged. Sphere C isfirst touched to A, then to B, and finally removed. As a result, the electrostatic force between A and B, which was originally F, becomes:

A. F/2 B. F/4 C. 3F/8 D. F/16 E. 0
 
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You are required to post your work toward a solution. What do you think the answer is and why?
 
The answer is C). However, I really don't know how to work it out.
 
What happens when you touch an isolated neutral object to an isolated charged object? How does the charge divide up and re-distribute?
 

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