A negatively charged object A is repelled by another charged object B. However, an object C is attracted to object B. Which of the following is the most probable for the charge of object C?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → neutral or positively charged
Like charges repel and unlike charges attract, and a charged object also attracts a neutral object by induced polarisation.
A is negative and is repelled by B, so B is also negative. C is attracted to the negative object B. Two kinds of object can be attracted by a negative charge: a positive one (opposite charge) and a neutral one (the charges in it shift and the nearer side becomes positive).
NCERT (2026-27):
Electric Charge – “… There are two kinds of electrification and we find that (i) like charges repel and (ii) unlike charges attract each other.”
Dipole in a Uniform External Field – “… A comb run through dry hair attracts pieces of paper. The comb, as we know, acquires charge through friction. But the paper is not charged. What then explains the attractive force? Taking the clue from the preceding discussion, the charged comb ‘polarises’ the piece of paper, i.e., induces a net dipole moment in the direction of field.”