Calculating Potential in a Conducting Sphere and Wire Configuration

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The discussion revolves around calculating the electric potential in a system with a conducting sphere and a radially positioned conducting wire. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their solution to the problem, which involves a sphere of radius R at potential V and a wire extending from R1 to R2, both greater than R. Other participants suggest that the question resembles a homework problem and encourage the poster to share their attempted solution for critique. There is speculation about the wire potentially introducing a singularity that complicates the solution, indicating that standard methods may not apply. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in solving this unique electrostatics problem.
kyryk
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I am trying to solve the following problem:

Consider the configuration of a conducting sphere of radius R held at potential V, and a conducting wire radially positioned with respect to the sphere with one end at R1>R, and the other end at R2>R1. What is the potential everywhere?

I chalked down a quick solution but I don't believe my answer. Any help would be appreciated!
 
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kyryk said:
I am trying to solve the following problem:

Consider the configuration of a conducting sphere of radius R held at potential V, and a conducting wire radially positioned with respect to the sphere with one end at R1>R, and the other end at R2>R1. What is the potential everywhere?

I chalked down a quick solution but I don't believe my answer. Any help would be appreciated!

This certainly seems like a homework-type question (even if it is not actual homework), so I think you should get a mod to move it to the homework subforums and post your attempt at a solution.
 
Not a homework question. As a matter of fact, never seen such type of E&M questions in standard books. I suspect that the wire presents some sort of singularity in the solution that is a bit tricky to handle, at least I can't see a standard solution applying here. However, if I'm wrong and there is a trivial solution, even better if this is indeed a homework question somewhere, I'd like a link or something of the sort.
 
kyryk said:
Not a homework question. As a matter of fact, never seen such type of E&M questions in standard books. I suspect that the wire presents some sort of singularity in the solution that is a bit tricky to handle, at least I can't see a standard solution applying here. However, if I'm wrong and there is a trivial solution, even better if this is indeed a homework question somewhere, I'd like a link or something of the sort.

Still seems like a homework-type question to me. In any case, you said in your first post that you "chalked down a quick solution" but aren't confident in your answer - why not post that solution (or the main points of it) so we can critique it?
 

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