Charge surrounded by charged conducting sphere

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a charged conducting sphere surrounding a central charge of –2q. Participants are exploring how the total charge q of the conducting shell influences the distribution of charges on its inner and outer surfaces.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Exploratory

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the implications of the conducting sphere having a charge q, particularly in relation to the charges induced on its surfaces. Questions are raised about the scenario where the sphere is uncharged and how that contrasts with the charged case.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the effects of the conducting sphere's charge on the inner and outer surface charges. Some participants are referencing Gauss's Law to support their reasoning, while others are seeking clarification on the relationships between the charges involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available for discussion. The complexity of charge induction and the specifics of Gauss's Law are central to the conversation.

iriver4
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A spherical conducting shell with charge total q surrounds a charge –2q at the center of the shell. The
charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell are respectively

I know that if the conducting sphere has no charge the inner and outer charges would be +2q, and -2q respectively but how does q play in this problem ?
 
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iriver4 said:
A spherical conducting shell with charge total q surrounds a charge –2q at the center of the shell. The
charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell are respectively

I know that if the conducting sphere has no charge the inner and outer charges would be +2q, and -2q respectively but how does q play in this problem ?
Do you know how to explain the case:
if the conducting sphere has no charge the inner and outer charges would be +2q, and -2q respectively​
?
 
SammyS said:
Do you know how to explain the case:
if the conducting sphere has no charge the inner and outer charges would be +2q, and -2q respectively​
?

Sorry this is another scenario where the conducting sphere has no charge. I want to know what happens if the conducting sphere has a charge of q. How does that affect the inner and outer charges ?
 
iriver4 said:
Sorry this is another scenario where the conducting sphere has no charge. I want to know what happens if the conducting sphere has a charge of q. How does that affect the inner and outer charges ?
In order to explain the case:
if the conducting sphere has a charge of q. How does that affect the inner and outer charges ?​
I need to know if you understand the reasoning involved in the case where the sphere is uncharged.
 
SammyS said:
In order to explain the case:
if the conducting sphere has a charge of q. How does that affect the inner and outer charges ?​
I need to know if you understand the reasoning involved in the case where the sphere is uncharged.

Because the positive charge would induce a negative charge on the inner surface of the shell and the outer shell would have a positive induced charged. Thats how it was explained to me
 
iriver4 said:
Because the positive charge would induce a negative charge on the inner surface of the shell and the outer shell would have a positive induced charged. Thats how it was explained to me
Do you know Gauss's Law? Using it tells us that charge on the inner surface of the conducting shell must be equal in magnitude, and opposite in sign to the charge at the center.
 
SammyS said:
Do you know Gauss's Law? Using it tells us that charge on the inner surface of the conducting shell must be equal in magnitude, and opposite in sign to the charge at the center.

So then the charge at the inner circle would be +2q and since the outer shell has a charge of q the charge outside would be equal and opposite giving us -q. Right ? Sorry I took so long have 4 finals to study for =/
 
iriver4 said:
So then the charge at the inner circle would be +2q and since the outer shell has a charge of q the charge outside would be equal and opposite giving us -q. Right ? Sorry I took so long have 4 finals to study for =/
Yes, that is correct.
 
SammyS said:
Yes, that is correct.

Thank you
 

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