Electric field inside a charged sphere

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion about electric fields inside charged spheres, a key distinction is made between charged conducting spheres and uniformly charged spheres. In a charged conducting sphere, charge resides solely on the surface to cancel the internal electric field, while in a uniformly charged sphere, the charge is distributed throughout the volume. The confusion arises from misunderstanding the nature of these configurations, as a uniformly charged conducting sphere does not exist. The participants clarify that the charge distribution in a uniformly charged sphere leads to a non-zero electric field within, unlike in a conducting sphere. This highlights the fundamental differences in charge behavior between the two types of spheres.
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?


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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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