An earthed conductor is placed near another positively charged conductor. The net charge acquired by the earthed conductor will be:

Negative only

The correct answer is Option (2) → Negative only

When a positively charged conductor is brought near an earthed conductor, the free electrons from the earth are attracted towards the side of the earthed conductor facing the positive charge. This side becomes negatively charged, while the far side remains at zero potential (no positive charge develops because excess electrons can freely flow from earth).

Hence, the net charge acquired by the earthed conductor will be negative only.

Correct option: Negative only