Compute voltage inside sphere of uniform charge

In summary, the problem is to find the potential inside and outside a uniformly charged solid sphere with radius R and total charge q. The electric field outside the sphere is given by E = q/(4πεo r^2) and the potential is V = q/(4πεo r). However, the concept of voltage inside the sphere is more complicated and involves considering the charge distribution within the sphere. The charge enclosed by a Gaussian surface at r<R is proportional to the volume enclosed, which can be used to derive the electric field inside the sphere as E = (rho V_inside)/(4πεo r^2), where rho is the charge density inside the sphere. For a radius r>R, the electric field can be
  • #1
Gary Roach
20
0

Homework Statement


Problem 2.21 from Introduction to Electrodynamics, David J. Griffiths, Third Edition.

Find the potential inside and outside a uniformly charged solid sphere who's radius is R and whose total charge is q. Use infinity as your reference point.


Homework Equations


Given: q, R, r'(r inside sphere)
Variable: r
∫E da =q/ε0
V = -∫[itex]^{r}_{∞}[/itex]E dl


The Attempt at a Solution


Outside of sphere:
|E|∫s r2sinΘdΘdø = (1/ε0)q
E = (q)[itex]\widehat{r}[/itex]/(4π εor2)
V = -∫[itex]^{r}_{∞}[/itex]E dr =q/4πε0r

The above is pretty straight forward. On the other hand, the Voltage inside the sphere completely illudes me. From the answer book, I know that is an A - B type problem but can't seem to get my mind around the concept. I know that the Voltage is a function of the radius but the E field is not zero as in a hollow sphere. How is the basic equation for the E field inside the sphere derived?
 
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  • #2
charge inside the gaussian surface at r<R is proportional to the Volume enclosed: rho V_inside
where rho = q/(4/3 pi R^3)
 
  • #3
For a radius r>R, consider the sphere with a smaller radius (smaller than r) and the hollow sphere with a larger radius (larger than r) as separate objects. How can you calculate their field contributions?
 

What is the formula for computing the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge?

The formula for computing the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge is V = (Q/4πε0r), where V is the voltage, Q is the charge, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, and r is the distance from the center of the sphere.

How does the charge distribution affect the voltage inside a sphere?

The charge distribution does not affect the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge. This means that regardless of how the charge is distributed within the sphere, the voltage will remain the same at any point inside the sphere.

Is the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge constant?

Yes, the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge is constant. This is because the charge is evenly distributed throughout the sphere, resulting in a constant electric field at any point inside the sphere.

Can the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge be negative?

Yes, the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge can be negative. This can occur if the charge is negative, causing the electric field to be directed towards the center of the sphere and resulting in a negative voltage at certain points inside the sphere.

What is the significance of computing the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge?

Computing the voltage inside a sphere of uniform charge is important for understanding the behavior of electric fields and their effects on charged particles within the sphere. This calculation can also be applied to other systems with uniform charge distributions, providing a useful tool for analyzing electric potential in various situations.

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