Conducting Spherical Shells

1. Mar 17, 2010

veronicak5678

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

You have two concentric conducting sherical shells. the net charge in the inner shell is -8 C and the outer shell is neutral. In the inner hollow is placed a 2C point charge. Using Gauss's Law, find the charge on all 4 surfaces of the shells.

2. Relevant equations

Econductor = 0

3. The attempt at a solution
Inner radius of inner shell: -2C
Outer radius of inner shell: -6C
Inner radius of outer shell: 0
Outer radius of outer shell: 0

Not sure how to use Gauss's law here, or if the answers for the outer shell are right.

2. Mar 17, 2010

ideasrule

Try envisioning a Gaussian sphere that lies outside the inner radius of the inner sphere but inside the outer radius. Do the same for the outer sphere.

3. Mar 17, 2010

veronicak5678

I think this means the inner shell answers are correct, but not the outer. Is the outer shell going to have a -8 charge on the inner radius and a positive 8 charge on the outer?

4. Mar 17, 2010

ideasrule

Not -8. Think about how much charge there is inside the outer shell.

5. Mar 17, 2010

veronicak5678

Oh! There is -6C inside the outer shell. So 6C on the inner and -6 on the outer.