**Correct Option: C. The charges within the sphere redistribute, creating a separation of charge.** ### Detailed Explanation: When a negatively charged rod is brought near a neutral metallic sphere, the behavior of the charges within the sphere can be understood through the principles of electrostatics, particularly the concept of charge induction. 1. **Understanding Charge Induction:** - A neutral object has an equal number of positive and negative charges. In a metallic sphere, these charges can move freely because metals have free electrons that can shift in response to external electric fields. - When the negatively charged rod approaches the sphere, the electric field created by the rod exerts a force on the free electrons in the metallic sphere. 2. **Movement of Charges:** - The negatively charged rod repels the electrons in the sphere. Since like charges repel, the electrons (which are negatively charged) will move away from the side of the sphere that is closest to the rod. - As the electrons move away, the side of the sphere nearest to the rod becomes positively charged (due to a deficit of electrons), while the side of the sphere farthest from the rod becomes negatively charged (due to an excess of electrons). 3. **Charge Separation:** - This movement of electrons creates a separation of charge within the sphere. The sphere itself remains electrically neutral overall because the total number of positive and negative charges has not changed; they have merely redistributed. - The result is that the sphere has a positive charge on the side closest to the rod and a negative charge on the side farthest from the rod. 4. **Final State:** - If the negatively charged rod is removed, the electrons will redistribute evenly throughout the sphere again, restoring its neutral state. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: - **Option A: The sphere becomes positively charged overall.** - This is incorrect because while there is a positive charge on one side of the sphere, the sphere as a whole remains neutral. The positive charge is balanced by the negative charge on the opposite side. - **Option B: The sphere becomes negatively charged overall.** - This option is also incorrect for the same reason as Option A. The sphere does not gain or lose any net charge; it only experiences a redistribution of its existing charges. - **Option D: The sphere remains neutral with no change in charge distribution.** - This option is incorrect because it ignores the effect of the electric field from the negatively charged rod. The charges within the sphere do redistribute in response to the external electric field, leading to a separation of charge. ### Summary of Key Points: - A negatively charged rod induces a charge separation in a neutral metallic sphere. - Electrons in the sphere move away from the rod, creating a positive charge on the side closest to the rod and a negative charge on the opposite side. - The sphere remains overall neutral, but the distribution of charges changes due to the influence of the external electric field. - Understanding charge induction is crucial for analyzing interactions between charged objects and neutral conductors.