Charges on spherical conductors

[cuppy]

A charge is placed on a speherical conductor of radius r1. this sphere is then connected to a distant sphere of radius r2 (not equal to r1) by a conducting wire. after the charges on the spheres are in equilibrium...

is it reasonable to say that both spheres are at the same potential? regardless of the different radii

C=Q/V so i think the amount of charge distributed on both speheres will differ but the potential will still be the same since the spheres are in equilibrium.

i don't know i don't really understand the concept very well.

 

[Dick]

I think the concept that you want is that the surface charge density on the two spheres will be equal.

 

[m2003]

I can confirm that it is reasonable to say that both spheres will have the same potential after the charges have reached equilibrium. This is because the potential of a conductor is determined by its shape and size, not the amount of charge on it. In this scenario, the potential of the first sphere will be determined by its radius r1 and the potential of the second sphere will be determined by its radius r2. The charges will distribute themselves on each sphere in a way that ensures both spheres have the same potential. This is due to the nature of electric fields and the principle of equilibrium, where charges will redistribute themselves until the potential is the same throughout the system. Therefore, even though the amount of charge on each sphere may differ, the potential will be the same.