Electrostatic Induction and Charge Sharing

Steps:

• Uncharged spheres X and Y start neutral.
• Positive rod near X induces negative charge on X's near side and positive on far side via repulsion of electrons.
• Touching X and Y allows electrons to flow from Y to X, leaving X net negative and Y net positive.
• Separating spheres preserves equal-magnitude opposite charges on identical conductors.

Why D is correct:

• Connected conductors share charge equally; Y gains positive charge equal in magnitude to X's negative charge per conservation of charge.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Y is positive, not negative.
• B: Y is positive, not negative.
• C: Y's positive charge equals X's negative magnitude, not smaller.

Final answer: D