Electric field inside a charged sphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinction between a charged conducting sphere and a uniformly charged sphere. In a charged conducting sphere, the charge resides entirely on the surface to cancel the electric field inside, while in a uniformly charged sphere, the charge is distributed throughout the volume. This difference arises because the conducting sphere allows charge movement to the surface, whereas the uniformly charged sphere does not permit such movement. The confusion stems from misinterpreting the uniformly charged sphere as a uniformly charged conducting sphere.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and electric fields
  • Familiarity with Gauss's Law
  • Knowledge of charge distribution in conductors
  • Concept of conducting vs. non-conducting materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Gauss's Law and its applications in electrostatics
  • Explore the properties of electric fields in conductors
  • Research the concept of charge distribution in non-conducting materials
  • Examine the differences between conductors and insulators in electrostatics
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching electrostatics, and anyone seeking to understand the principles of electric fields in charged objects.

Geocentric
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Homework Statement


In the case of charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge entirely resides on the surface because it always tries to cancel the field inside by moving to the surface. But in the case of a uniformly charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume. What I don't understand is that, why doesn't the charge move to the surface as in the case of a charged conducting sphere? If so, how do we get the charges placed for obtaining these 2 different configurations?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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But in the case of a uniformly charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume. What I don't understand is that, why doesn't the charge move to the surface as in the case of a charged conducting sphere?

Did you really mean this?:smile:
 
aim1732 said:
Did you really mean this?:smile:

If a gaussian surface is constructed within the uniformly charged sphere, the electric field is not zero. So, there is charge not only on the surface but also inside. Isn't that true?
 
But in the case of a uniformly charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume.
This?
 
aim1732 said:
This?

Could you please clarify what you intend to say?
 
Geocentric said:
In the case of charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge entirely resides on the surface because it always tries to cancel the field inside by moving to the surface. But in the case of a uniformly charged conducting sphere, we find that the charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume. What I don't understand is that, why doesn't the charge move to the surface as in the case of a charged conducting sphere? If so, how do we get the charges placed for obtaining these 2 different configurations?

What I think aim1732 is trying to say is: Why do you think you can have a uniformly charged conducting sphere?
 
I misunderstood the uniformly charged sphere as uniformly charged conducting sphere. Thanks guys.
 
That's correct!
 

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