- #1
Miles123K
- 57
- 2
Homework Statement
The solution to this problem is B, and I was able to get the answer by calculating the total potential at ##r = 2a##, however, what I don't seem to understand is why must the voltage be calculated at ##r=2a## but not ##r=3a##.
Homework Equations
##V(r) = - \int_a^b E(r) dr##
##V(r) = \frac 1 {4 \pi \epsilon_0 } \frac Q r##
The Attempt at a Solution
For solving the problem at ##r=2a##, I used the voltages at ##r=a## and ##r=b##
##V(a) = \frac 1 {4 \pi \epsilon_0 } (\frac {Q_1} {a} + \frac {Q_2} {3a}) = 0## where ##Q_1## is the inner charge and ##Q_2## is the outer charge.
##V(2a) = \frac 1 {4 \pi \epsilon_0 } (\frac {Q_1} {2a} + \frac {Q_2} {3a}) = \frac 1 {4 \pi \epsilon_0 } \frac Q {3a} ##
By simple algebra I was able to solve for ##Q_1## and it was B, however, the condition given was ##V(3a) = \frac 1 {4 \pi \epsilon_0 } \frac Q {3a} ##. why do I have to use the argument that an electrostatic conductor have the same potential throughout to work out the potential ##V(2a)## but not directly solve for ##Q_1## at ##r=3a##?