A positively charged rod is brought close to one end of a neutral metallic plate. What type of charge is induced on the closest side of the plate?

When a positively charged rod is brought close to one end of a neutral metallic plate, the presence of the rod's positive charge causes a phenomenon known as electrical induction. Here's a detailed explanation of the process:

1. Induction Process: The positive charge of the rod repels the positive charges (protons) within the metallic plate. Since protons are fixed in place within the atomic structure of the metal, they cannot move. However, the electrons (which are negatively charged) can move freely within the conductor.

2. Movement of Electrons: The electrons in the metallic plate will move towards the end of the plate that is closest to the positively charged rod. This movement occurs because opposite charges attract, and the electrons are attracted towards the positive charge of the rod.

3. Charge Distribution: As the electrons accumulate on the side of the plate closest to the rod, that side of the plate becomes negatively charged. Conversely, the side of the plate that is farthest from the rod will become positively charged due to the deficit of electrons.

4. Induced Charge: Therefore, the closest side of the metallic plate to the positively charged rod becomes negatively charged due to the induction process.

In summary, the closest side of the neutral metallic plate will have a negative charge induced on it when a positively charged rod is brought near it. The action of the charged rod alters the distribution of charges within the conductor, leading to the observed effect.