Mastering Physics: Video Tutor: Charged Rod and Aluminum Can

Mastering Physics: Video Tutor: Charged Rod and Aluminum Can

Part A

Question: Consider the situation in the figure below, where two charged rods are placed a distance d on either side of an aluminum can. What does the can do?

Answer: stays still

Part B

Question: Now, consider the situation shown in the figure below. What does the can do?

Answer: Stays still

Part C

Question: Using the setup from the first question, imagine that you briefly touch the negatively charged rod to the can. You then hold the two rods at equal distances on either side of the can. What does the can do?

Answer: Rolls toward the positively charged rod