Three pithballs are suspended from thin threads

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the electrostatic behavior of three pithballs suspended from thin threads, where various objects are rubbed to induce charges. It is established that pithballs 1 and 2 attract each other, while pithballs 2 and 3 repel each other. The conclusions drawn are that pithballs 1 and 3 carry charges of opposite signs, confirming that one must be positive and the other negative. Further experimentation is necessary to definitively determine the exact signs of the charges involved.

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a) Three pithballs are suspended from thin threads.Various objects are then rubbed against other
objects (nylon against silk, glass against polyester, etc.) and each of the pithballs is charged by
touching them with one of these objects. It is found that pithballs 1 and 2 attract each other and
that pithballs 2 and 3 repel each other. From this we can conclude that:
1. 1 and 3 carry charges of opposite sign .
2. 1 and 3 carry charges of equal sign .
3. All three carry the charges of the same sign .
4. One of the objects carries no charge .
5. We need to do more experiments to determine the sign of the charges .


^so i know opposite charges attract and negative charges repel

i chose 1 and 5 to be correct choices because I imagine the sequence of charges to be:
+ - - or - + +


is there a possible way to determine the sign of the charges?
I'd like to be reassured or told what is wrong with my reasoning
 
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Even an uncharged body is attracted by a charged body.
 

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