A positive point charge q is brought near a neutral metal sphere.

Options

A. The sphere becomes negatively charges.
B. The sphere becomes positively charged.
C. The interior remains neutral and the surface gets non-uniform charge distribution.
D. The interior becomes positively charged and the surface becomes negatively charged.

Answer

To solve the problem of a positive point charge \( q \) being brought near a neutral metal sphere, we can break down the situation step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the System**:
- We have a neutral metal sphere, which is a conductor. In its neutral state, it has equal amounts of positive and negative charges distributed evenly.

**Hint**: Remember that a neutral conductor has no net charge, but it can redistribute its charges when influenced by an external electric field.

2. **Introducing the Point Charge**:
- When a positive point charge \( +q \) is brought near the neutral metal sphere, it creates an electric field around it. This electric field will influence the charges within the metal sphere.

**Hint**: Think about how electric fields affect charge distributions in conductors.

3. **Charge Redistribution**:
- The positive charge \( +q \) will attract the free electrons in the metal sphere towards its surface that is closest to the point charge. This results in a negative charge accumulation on that side of the sphere.

**Hint**: Visualize the movement of electrons in the conductor towards the positive charge.

4. **Induced Charges**:
- As electrons move towards the side of the sphere nearest to the charge \( +q \), the opposite side of the sphere will become positively charged due to the deficiency of electrons. This creates a separation of charge within the sphere.

**Hint**: Remember that the movement of electrons creates an induced charge distribution.

5. **Charge Distribution**:
- The charge distribution on the surface of the sphere will not be uniform. The side closest to the charge \( +q \) will have a higher concentration of negative charge, while the side farthest away will have a lesser positive charge.

**Hint**: Consider the distance from the point charge when thinking about how charge density varies on the sphere's surface.

6. **Interior of the Sphere**:
- Inside the metal sphere, the electric field is zero due to the shielding effect of the conductor. Therefore, the interior remains neutral, with no net charge present.

**Hint**: Recall that the electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero.

### Final Answer:
When a positive point charge \( +q \) is brought near a neutral metal sphere, the interior of the sphere remains neutral, while the surface of the sphere acquires a non-uniform charge distribution, with negative charges accumulating on the side closest to the point charge and positive charges on the opposite side.