Calculating Charge at the Center of a Spherical Shell has me stumped

In summary: I suggest you keep the following hints in mind:1. The total field is radially symmetric.2. The field out side of the sphere at radius r is exactly the same as if the total charge insideQ0 + q0was at the center.Hope this helps.Regards,Buzz
  • #1
Physicsman69
5
0
Edit: Forgot to type "stumped" at the end of the title

1. Homework Statement

Instead of typing it out, a link to a scanned document of the problem is here: http://imgur.com/Be3jSLp.

Homework Equations


The equations to use are stated in the problem here: http://imgur.com/Be3jSLp

The Attempt at a Solution


For 3.a: Wouldn't you have to draw a gaussian sphere around the outer edge of the sphere, which would yield an enclosed charge of Q_o? Then after that, wouldn't you draw another one inside the conducting shell, resulting in an enclosed charge of zero? Therefore, wouldn't the charge at the center be -Q_o?

For 3.b: Using the equation given, I don't know exactly how to integrate the equation after you substitute in the E value given in the beginning of the problem.

Any advice?
 
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  • #2
Physicsman69 said:
Edit: Forgot to type "stumped" at the end of the title

1. Homework Statement

Instead of typing it out, a link to a scanned document of the problem is here: http://imgur.com/Be3jSLp.

Homework Equations


The equations to use are stated in the problem here: http://imgur.com/Be3jSLp

The Attempt at a Solution


For 3.a: Wouldn't you have to draw a gaussian sphere around the outer edge of the sphere, which would yield an enclosed charge of Q_o? Then after that, wouldn't you draw another one inside the conducting shell, resulting in an enclosed charge of zero? Therefore, wouldn't the charge at the center be -Q_o?

For 3.b: Using the equation given, I don't know exactly how to integrate the equation after you substitute in the E value given in the beginning of the problem.

Any advice?
Here's the image:
upload_2015-12-4_16-5-30.png


Have you tried applying Gauss's Law ?
 
  • #3
Hi Physicsman69:

I suggest you keep the following hints in mind:
1. The total field is radially symmetric.
2. The field out side of the sphere at radius r is exactly the same as if the total charge inside
Q0 + q0
was at the center.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz
 
  • #4
Have you tried applying Gauss's Law ?

Yes, you can draw a gaussian surface outside of the sphere which would yield $$E4\pi r^2 = Q_0/\epsilon$$

And, then a gaussian surface drawn inside the conducting shell would yield $$E4\pi r^2 = 0/\epsilon$$

Wouldn't this mean the charge in the center equals $$-Q_0$$ To offset the positive charge on the surface of the shell?

I suggest you keep the following hints in mind:
1. The total field is radially symmetric.
2. The field out side of the sphere at radius r is exactly the same as if the total charge inside
Q0 + q0
was at the center.

Being that it is radially symmetric, the integral for Gauss' law would yield: $$E4\pi r^2$$ That is what you are implying right?

And for #2 are you saying that the unknown charge at the center, q0, would have to be opposite and equal of Q0?
 
  • #5
Wait, for:

Buzz Bloom said:
Hi Physicsman69:

I suggest you keep the following hints in mind:
1. The total field is radially symmetric.
2. The field out side of the sphere at radius r is exactly the same as if the total charge inside
Q0 + q0
was at the center.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz

For #2, this would mean that q0 would be actually be zero, correct? A charge uniformly distributed over the surface, can act like a charge concentrated at the center, therefore Q0 + q0 = Q0, so q0 = 0?
 
  • #6
Just make a spherical net around that spherical shell and shrink it to just a point at the centre carrying unaltered total of charge.

Edit
Maybe it's right to call it Gauss's net?
 
  • #7
azizlwl said:
Just make a spherical net around that spherical shell and shrink it to just a point at the centre carrying unaltered total of charge.
A gaussian surface just around the point at the center wouldn't yield anything. The charge at the center is unknown.
 
  • #8
Gauss's Law
dQ=D.dA
For spherical surface,
Q=DA, where D=εE.
Where Q is net charge at the center.
 
  • #9
Physicsman69 said:
Yes, you can draw a gaussian surface outside of the sphere which would yield $$E4\pi r^2 = Q_0/\epsilon$$
The total charge enclosed is Q0 + q0, is it not?

And, then a gaussian surface drawn inside the conducting shell would yield $$E4\pi r^2 = 0/\epsilon$$Wouldn't this mean the charge in the center equals $$-Q_0$$ To offset the positive charge on the surface of the shell?

Being that it is radially symmetric, the integral for Gauss' law would yield: $$E4\pi r^2$$ That is what you are implying right?

And for #2 are you saying that the unknown charge at the center, q0, would have to be opposite and equal of Q0?
 

1. How do I calculate the charge at the center of a spherical shell?

The charge at the center of a spherical shell can be calculated by using the formula Q = (4πε0) ρR, where Q is the charge, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, ρ is the charge density, and R is the radius of the shell.

2. What is the significance of calculating charge at the center of a spherical shell?

Calculating the charge at the center of a spherical shell is important in understanding the electric field and potential at that point. It also helps in determining the behavior of the electric field lines and the distribution of charge within the shell.

3. How does the charge distribution affect the calculation of charge at the center of a spherical shell?

The charge distribution within the spherical shell affects the calculation of charge at the center as the charge density, ρ, is a crucial factor in the formula. If the charge is evenly distributed, the charge at the center will be the same. However, if the charge is concentrated towards one side, the charge at the center will be higher.

4. Can the formula for calculating charge at the center of a spherical shell be applied to any size of the shell?

Yes, the formula can be applied to any size of the spherical shell as long as the charge distribution is known. However, for larger shells, the calculation may become more complex and may require the use of numerical methods.

5. Are there any real-world applications of calculating charge at the center of a spherical shell?

Yes, the calculation of charge at the center of a spherical shell is important in many areas of physics and engineering. It is used in the design of electrical components, such as capacitors and antennas, and in understanding the behavior of electric fields in space and in materials.

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