Metal Spheres; Interaction between conductors; induction

[AdkinsJr]

Homework Statement

Initially the three spheres are uncharged; then sphere A is dragged across a t.v. screen with an excess charge, giving (A) an excess negative charge. Then (A) is placed next to (B) and all three spheres lie on a line. There is a wire connecting (B) and (C). We want to describe the charge state of each sphere relative to the t.v. after the wire is disconnected.

The Attempt at a Solution

In the attachment below, the sphere above the line I drew is just there to set initial conditions. I gave them all that number of negative charges, and positive charges; although I omit the plus signs in the drawing. I also omit most of the the +/- signs for (B) and (C).

The net negative charge on (A) polarizes (B). The (C) should also be polarized, but not as strongly since it's further from (A).

At this point, I'm stumped. I'm not sure even how to proceed at all, so I can't show much of an "attempt at a solution," since I can't get off the ground in the first place.

 

[jbsteele]

\begin{array}{r|r|r|r|r} \hline & A & B & C & TV \\ \hline Before & -3 & +2 & +1 & + \\ \hline After & - & + & + & + \\ \hline\end{array}