Conductors and Insulators - Questions

The Conductors and Insulators Concept Builder is comprised of 72 questions. The questions are divided into 20 different Question Groups. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.

This Concept Builder consists of three different Difficulty Levels. Those three levels are described as follows:
 
  • Apprentice Difficulty Level: Question Groups 1-4. Each question describes the initial charge state and the material type (conductor or insulator) of an object. Students must determine the final charge state of the object after it is touched to a charged object or the ground.
  • Master Difficulty Level: Question Groups 5-12. Each question describes the initial charge state and the material type (conductor or insulator) of two connected objects. Students must determine the final charge state of the two objects after one of them is touched to a charged object or the ground.
  • Wizard Difficulty Level Question Groups 13-20. Each question describes the initial charge state and the material type (conductor or insulator) of three connected objects. Students must determine the final charge state of the three objects after one of them is touched to a charged object or the ground.

The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activities are most appropriate for their classes. We recommend providing students two or more options. 

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Conductors and Insulators
 

 
Apprentice Difficulty Level
Question Group 1
Question 1
Object A is an insulator. It has a positive charge. It is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 


Question 2
Object A is an insulator. It has a negative charge. It is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 



Question Group 2
Question 3
Object A is a conductor. It has a positive charge. It is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?

 



Question 4
Object A is a conductor. It has a negative charge. It is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?

 




 
Question Group 3
Question 5
Object A is an insulator. It is neutral. It is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 

 
 



Question 6
Object A is an insulator. It is neutral. It is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 
 
 

 
 
Question Group 4
Question 7
Object A is a conductor. It is neutral. It is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 
 
 

 
 

Question 8
Object A is a conductor. It is neutral. It is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge does Object A have?
 
 
 
 

 

Master Difficulty Level
Question Group 5
Question 9
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 
 


 

Question 10
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 
 




 

Question 11
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 
 
 



 

Question 12
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 
 
 


 
Question Group 6
Question 13
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 

 

 
Question 14
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 

 
 

Question 15
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 

 


Question 16
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 


 
Question Group 7
Question 17
Object A and Object B are conductors. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 

 


 

Question 18
Object A and Object B are conductors. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 


 
 

Question 19
Object A and Object B are conductors. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 



 
 

Question 20
Object A and Object B are conductors. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 




 
Question Group 8
Question 21
Object A and Object B are insulators. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a positively-charged, insulating sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 

 


Question 22
Object A and Object B are insulators. They are both neutral. Object B is touched by a negatively-charged, insulating sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 

 
 



Question 23
Object A and Object B are insulators. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, insulating sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 
 


 

Question 24
Object A and Object B are insulators. They are both neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, insulating sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the objects have?
 
 

 


 
Question Group 9
Question 25
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. Object A is neutral. Object B has a positive charge. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 26
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. Object A is neutral. Object B has a negative charge. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 27
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. Object A has a positive charge. Object B is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 


 
Question 28
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. Object A has a negative charge. Object B is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?



 
Question Group 10
Question 29
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. Object A is neutral. Object B has a positive charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?

 
 


Question 30
Object A is an insulator. Object B is a conductor. Object A is neutral. Object B has a negative charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?

 


 
Question 31
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. Object A has a positive charge. Object B is neutral. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?

 


 
Question 32
Object A is a conductor. Object B is an insulator. Object A has a negative charge. Object B is neutral. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?



 

Question Group 11
Question 33
Object A and Object B are conductors. Both Object A and Object B have a positive charge. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 34
Object A and Object B are conductors. Both Object A and Object B have a negative charge. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 


 

Question 35
Object A and Object B are conductors. Both Object A and Object B have a positive charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 
 



Question 36
Object A and Object B are conductors. Both Object A and Object B have a negative charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question Group 12
Question 37
Object A and Object B are insulators. Object A has a positive charge. Object B is neutral. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 38
Object A and Object B are insulators. Object A has a negative charge. Object B is neutral. Object B is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 39
Object A and Object B are insulators. Object A is neutral. Object B has a positive charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Question 40
Object A and Object B are insulators. Object A is neutral. Object B has a negative charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the two objects have?
 



 
Wizard Difficulty Level
Question Group 13
Question 41
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?





 
Question 42
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 




Question 43
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?



 


Question 44
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



 
Question Group 14
Question 45
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 




Question 46
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?






Question 47
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?






 
Question 48
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



 
Question Group 15
Question 49
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?






Question 50
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?






 
Question 51
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?





 

Question 52
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 




 
Question Group 16
Question 53
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?





 
Question 54
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. All three are neutral. Object C is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 





Question 55
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a positively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 





Question 56
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. All three are neutral. Object A is touched by a negatively-charged, conducting sphere. When the sphere is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 




 
Question Group 17
Question 57
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. Objects A and B have a positive charge. Object C is neutral. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



Question 58
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. Objects A and B have a negative charge. Object C is neutral. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



Question 59
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. Object A is neutral. Objects B and C have a positive charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?




 
Question 60
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. Object A is neutral. Objects B and C have a negative charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 

 
 
Question Group 18
Question 61
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. Object A is neutral. Objects B and C have a positive charge. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 




Question 62
Object A is an insulator. Objects B and C are conductors. Object A is neutral. Objects B and C have a negative charge. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 


 
Question 63
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. Objects A and B have a positive charge. Object C is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



Question 64
Objects A and B are conductors. Object C is an insulator. Objects A and B have a negative charge. Object C is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 
 
Question Group 19
Question 65
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. Objects A and C have a positive charge. Object B is neutral. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?
 
 
 
 
Question 66
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. Objects A and C have a negative charge. Object B is neutral. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 



Question 67
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. Objects A and C have a positive charge. Object B is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?



 

Question 68
Objects A and C are conductors. Object B is an insulator. Objects A and C have a negative charge. Object B is neutral. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?

 


 
Question Group 20
Question 69
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. Objects A and C are neutral. Object B has a positive charge. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?


 
 
 
Question 70
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. Objects A and C are neutral. Object B has a negative charge. Object C is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?





 
Question 71
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. Objects A and C are neutral. Object B has a positive charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?




 
Question 72
Objects A and C are insulators. Object B is a conductor. Objects A and B are neutral. Object B has a negative charge. Object A is touched to the ground. When the ground is pulled away, what charge do the three objects have?