### Correct Option: C ### Detailed Explanation: When a negatively charged rod is brought near a neutral metal sphere, the distribution of charges within the sphere changes due to a phenomenon known as **electrostatic induction**. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens: 1. **Understanding Charge Distribution**: - A neutral metal sphere has an equal number of positive and negative charges, meaning the overall charge is zero. The positive charges are due to the atomic nuclei, while the negative charges are due to the electrons surrounding these nuclei. 2. **Introducing the Negatively Charged Rod**: - When the negatively charged rod is brought close to the sphere, the electric field created by the rod influences the charges within the sphere. The electric field emanating from the negatively charged rod exerts a force on the charges in the sphere. 3. **Movement of Charges**: - The negative charges (electrons) in the sphere are repelled by the negatively charged rod. This means that the electrons will move away from the rod, causing them to gather on the side of the sphere that is farthest from the rod. - Conversely, the positive charges (which are fixed in place as they are part of the atomic structure) will be attracted toward the rod. This results in a concentration of positive charge on the side of the sphere closest to the rod. 4. **Resulting Charge Distribution**: - As a result of this movement, the side of the sphere nearest to the rod becomes positively charged (due to the accumulation of positive charges), while the side farthest from the rod becomes negatively charged (due to the accumulation of negative charges). However, the sphere as a whole remains neutral because the total number of positive and negative charges is unchanged. 5. **Conclusion**: - Therefore, the correct answer is that the positive charges within the sphere will move toward the rod, and the negative charges will move away from it. This leads to a temporary separation of charge within the sphere, but it does not result in a net charge on the sphere itself. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: - **Option A: The sphere will gain a net positive charge.** - This is incorrect because while the positive charges move toward the rod, the sphere does not gain a net positive charge overall. The total number of charges remains the same; they are merely redistributed. - **Option B: The sphere will gain a net negative charge.** - This is also incorrect for the same reason as Option A. The sphere does not gain a net negative charge; it remains neutral overall. The negative charges move away from the rod, but this does not mean the sphere has a net negative charge. - **Option D: The charges within the sphere will remain uniformly distributed.** - This option is incorrect because the presence of the negatively charged rod causes a redistribution of charges within the sphere. The charges do not remain uniformly distributed; they are influenced by the electric field of the rod. ### Summary for Revision: - A negatively charged rod induces charge separation in a neutral metal sphere. - Electrons in the sphere are repelled and move away from the rod, while positive charges are attracted and move toward it. - The sphere remains neutral overall, but charge distribution becomes uneven (positive side near the rod, negative side away). - This phenomenon is known as electrostatic induction and is crucial for understanding how charged objects interact.