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Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 3 cm are given charges of -1×10⁻² C and 5×10⁻² C, respectively. If these are connected by a conducting wire, the final charge on the bigger sphere is

Asked in CBSE AIPMT 2012 Mains · Redistribution of charge

• (1) 2×10⁻² C
• (2) 3×10⁻² C
• (3) 4×10⁻² C
• (4) 1×10⁻² C

Step-by-step solution

Why the other options are wrong

• (1) Shares the net charge equally; equal potentials need charges in the ratio of the radii, not equal charges.
• (3) Leaves the whole net charge 4×10⁻² C on the bigger sphere, as if none went to the smaller one.
• (4) This is the final charge on the smaller sphere, 1/4×4×10⁻².

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