A charged insulating rod of unknown net charge is touched to an initially neutral…
PHYSICS · Subjective · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Force Field and Potential · Electric Force Field and Potential
Problem
A charged insulating rod of unknown net charge is touched to an initially neutral metal sphere X. After separation, sphere X has a charge of +3μC. The same rod is then touched to another initially neutral metal sphere Y. After this second contact, sphere Y has a charge of −1μC, and the rod is measured to have a remaining charge of +2μC. Assuming the system is electrically isolated from its surroundings during these steps, determine the rod’s net charge before the first contact.