Electric Field Between Two Metal Balls.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the electric field and charge distribution between two identical metal balls, one positively charged and the other negatively charged. The polarization effect complicates the treatment of these balls as point charges. The user seeks a method to determine the charge distribution, electric field, and potential, mentioning the formulation of an integral equation for electrostatic equilibrium, which is challenging to solve. Previous solutions exist, but the user is struggling to find them through online searches.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and charge interactions
  • Familiarity with integral equations in physics
  • Knowledge of electric field concepts and potential
  • Experience with polarization effects in conductive materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for solving integral equations in electrostatics
  • Study the concept of electric field lines and their behavior around charged objects
  • Explore numerical simulation tools for electric field calculations, such as COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Learn about the principles of electrostatic equilibrium and charge distribution in conductors
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electrostatics or charge interactions, particularly those interested in complex charge distributions and electric field analysis.

tade
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Imagine you have two identical metal balls, each carrying the same amount of charge, but with one ball being positive and the other negative.

When you bring them close together, there will be polarization, so you can no longer treat the balls as point charges.

How does one find the charge distribution/electric field/potential of the balls?
 
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I can formulate an integral equation based on the condition for electrostatic equilibrium, but that equation is pretty hard to solve.

This problem has definitely been addressed before, but Google is not helping me much, if any of you know of a solution please post the link.
 

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