Distribution of Charge on a Conducting shell

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The distribution of charge on a conducting shell with a +30mC point charge at its center and a net charge of -50mC is clearly defined. The inner surface of the shell acquires a charge of -30mC due to the point charge, while the remaining -20mC is distributed on the outer surface of the shell. This results in a total charge of -50mC on the shell, confirming that the outer surface does not carry a positive charge. The conducting nature of the shell ensures that the charges redistribute accordingly to maintain electrostatic equilibrium.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and charge distribution
  • Familiarity with concepts of conductors and insulators
  • Knowledge of Gauss's Law
  • Basic principles of electric fields and potentials
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Gauss's Law and its applications in electrostatics
  • Explore charge distribution in spherical conductors
  • Learn about electric field calculations for charged shells
  • Investigate the behavior of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding electrostatics, particularly in the context of charge distribution in conducting materials.

fornax
Messages
20
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A +30mC point charge sits at the center of a spherical thick metal shell, of 4.0cm inner radius, and 2.0cm thickness. The net charge on the shell is -50mC.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I came up with several conclusions and I'm not really sure which one is right. I'm just looking for a confirmation of how this charge would distribute itself. I learned that in such a case as this, an equal and opposite amount of charge would distribute itself across the inner surface of the shell, so -30mC. Since the net charge is then -50mC, that means that -20mC must be on the outer surface. That didn't really make much sense to though me since there is no where for a positive charge on the shell. So does that mean there's a charge of -80mC on the inner surface of the shell, and +30mC on the outside? or is it just one big negatively charged conductor?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The shell is negatively charged and the point charge at the centre attracts equal amount of negative charge onto the inner surface of the shell. The remaining negative charge distributes on the outer surface.

ehild
 
Thank you so much, I've been stuck on the rest of the problem. Thank you for clarifying that for me.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K