Two metal rods A and B are initially lying end to end on a wooden table and are touching each other. A sphere carrying surplus positive charge is brought close to the middle of \(\operatorname{rod} \mathrm{A}\). While the sphere is still in place, the rods are pulled apart by someone wearing gloves made of a fabric that is an electrical insulator. Then the sphere is moved far away.

(a) Do the two rods attract each other, do they repel each other, or is there no electric force between them?

(b) Describe the surplus charge on each rod as positive, zero, or negative.