If a charged sphere is brought close to a rod as shown in the figure above, the pairs of pith balls suspended at the ends of the rod will a. discharge static onto the sphere. b. pull closer to each other. c. move away from each other. d. drop off the rod.

The correct answer is letter "C": move away from each other.

Explanation:

A pith ball is a small-lightweight object which collects electrical charge. As the induced-charged rod gets closer to the charged sphere, the small pith balls will earn a positive (+) charge. As the charge will be the same for every pith ball, all of them will repel each other (Coulomb's law).

leaning back,   no eye contact,   fidgeting in the seat