Net charge in a current-carrying conductor is

Options

A. always positive
B. always negative
C. zero
D. either positive or negative

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the net charge in a current-carrying conductor, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the concept of a current-carrying conductor
A current-carrying conductor is a material (usually a metal) that allows electric charge to flow through it. The flow of charge is due to the movement of electrons.

**Hint:** Think about how electric current is defined and what it means for charges to flow.

### Step 2: Analyze the flow of charge
When a current flows through a conductor, it means that there are charges (usually electrons) moving from one end of the conductor to the other. For every charge that enters one end of the conductor, an equal charge exits from the other end.

**Hint:** Consider the principle of conservation of charge when charges flow through a conductor.

### Step 3: Determine the net charge
Since the number of charges entering the conductor is equal to the number of charges leaving it, there is no accumulation of charge within the conductor. Therefore, the net charge within the conductor remains zero.

**Hint:** Reflect on what it means for a conductor to be neutral when it is carrying current.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, we conclude that the net charge in a current-carrying conductor is zero.

**Final Answer:** The net charge in a current-carrying conductor is zero (Option C).