Charge Distribution on Conducting Spherical Shell

AI Thread Summary
In a conducting spherical shell with zero net charge and a positive point charge at its center, the electric field must be analyzed at three distinct regions. The inner surface of the shell will accumulate a negative charge density due to the attraction of free electrons towards the positive charge, while the outer surface will have a positive charge density to maintain the shell's overall neutrality. The inner surface charge density is negative because it compensates for the positive charge at the center, while the outer surface charge density is positive as it balances the negative charge on the inner surface. This distribution ensures that the electric field inside the conductor remains zero, adhering to electrostatic principles. Understanding these charge distributions is crucial for solving related problems in electrostatics.
pyroknife
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Homework Statement


A conducting spherical shell that has zero net charge has an inner radius R1 and an outer radius R2. A postive point charge q is placed at the center of the cell. The 1st part was to find the electric fields at the 3 diff places. The part I need help on is where we have to find the charge density on inner surface r=R1 and outer surface r=R2.

what I have a question about is. The signs would be opposite for inner and outer. Is the one entering (inner surface) negative and the one leaving (outer surface) positive? If so, why is it like that?
 
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pyroknife said:
what I have a question about is. The signs would be opposite for inner and outer. Is the one entering (inner surface) negative and the one leaving (outer surface) positive? If so, why is it like that?

There is a positive charge at the centre. Does it attract or repel the free electrons in the metal shell? So what kind of excess charge accumulates at the inner surface of the shell?


ehild
 

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