### Correct Option: A. The sphere becomes positively charged as electrons are repelled. #### Detailed Explanation: When a negatively charged rod is brought near a neutral metallic sphere, an interesting phenomenon occurs due to the nature of electric charges and how they interact with each other. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens: 1. **Understanding Charge**: - A negatively charged rod has an excess of electrons. In contrast, a neutral metallic sphere has an equal number of protons (positively charged) and electrons (negatively charged), resulting in no net charge. 2. **Induction Process**: - When the negatively charged rod approaches the neutral sphere, the electric field created by the rod influences the charges within the sphere. This process is known as **electrostatic induction**. - The electric field from the negatively charged rod exerts a force on the electrons in the metallic sphere. Since like charges repel, the electrons in the sphere are repelled away from the rod. 3. **Charge Separation**: - As the electrons move away from the side of the sphere closest to the rod, this side becomes positively charged due to a deficiency of electrons. The side of the sphere that is farther away from the rod retains more electrons and becomes negatively charged. - However, the overall charge of the sphere remains neutral because the total number of protons and electrons has not changed; they have merely been redistributed. 4. **Final Charge of the Sphere**: - The side of the sphere closest to the negatively charged rod is now positively charged, while the side farther away is negatively charged. However, since the positive charge is closer to the rod, the sphere as a whole is effectively considered to be positively charged due to the influence of the rod. 5. **Conclusion**: - Therefore, the correct answer is that the sphere becomes positively charged as electrons are repelled away from the rod. #### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: - **Option B: The sphere remains neutral without any charge separation.** - This option is incorrect because the presence of the negatively charged rod does induce a charge separation within the sphere. The charges do not remain uniformly distributed; they are influenced by the electric field of the rod. - **Option C: The sphere becomes negatively charged as electrons are attracted.** - This option is incorrect because the negatively charged rod does not attract electrons; it repels them. Thus, the sphere cannot become negatively charged in this scenario. - **Option D: The sphere becomes positively charged as electrons are attracted to the rod.** - This option is misleading. While the sphere does become positively charged, it is not because electrons are attracted to the rod; rather, it is because the electrons are repelled away from the rod, leading to a deficiency of electrons on the side of the sphere closest to the rod. ### Summary for Revision: - A negatively charged rod induces charge separation in a neutral metallic sphere. - Electrons in the sphere are repelled away from the rod, causing the side closest to the rod to become positively charged. - The sphere as a whole becomes positively charged due to this redistribution of charges. - Understanding electrostatic induction is key to solving problems involving charged objects and neutral conductors.