Electric field conductor question

[lianghongjian]

Please help me.

Homework Statement

Consider a metal sphere of radius R that has a total charge of Q. What is the force on one hemisphere by the other?

Homework Equations

F=E/q

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought the Electric field inside a conductor should be 0, therefore the force is also 0?
But it should not be this simple could somebody explain it to me.

 

[NihalSh]

electric field inside the conductor is zero, yes. That means total net force should be zero as well. but the force asked is that by the hemisphere (the part of the same sphere).
Net force is zero because both hemisphere exert equal but opposite force.

You would need calculus to solve the problem(calculate the value of force).
if the sphere is hollow, you can follow this post by hikaru1221

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2913313&postcount=11