Electric field inside a charged sphere

[hokhani]

If we have a uniformly charged spherical shell, supposing that the shell is non-conducting, could we have any electric field inside the sphere? Why?

 

[mfb]

This looks like homework - and it is clearly a homework-like question. What do you think?

Can there be additional objects in the setup?

 

[hokhani]

This looks like homework - and it is clearly a homework-like question. What do you think?

Can there be additional objects in the setup?

I couldn't give any justification that there is no electric filed inside.

 

[mfb]

Good - if there are additional objects in the setup, there can be an electric field.

If there are not, think about symmetry.

 

[hokhani]

Good - if there are additional objects in the setup, there can be an electric field.

If there are not, think about symmetry.

There are not additional objects. But according to symmetry, using the Gauss's law, I found only that the inside electric field have to be normal to the surface and no reason for being zero. By symmetry do you mean that the inside electric field by one part of the surface is neutralized by the other so if we don't have symmetry, then the inside electric field is not necessarily zero and some parts of charges can be accumulated on the inside surface?

 

[mfb]

But according to symmetry, using the Gauss's law, I found only that the inside electric field have to be normal to the surface and no reason for being zero.

Try to apply it to a sphere around the center of the object.

 

[hokhani]

Try to apply it to a sphere around the center of the object.

Thanks. I think I got it. In the case of spherical shell there is no electric field inside but in the case of non-symmetrical shells there is no reason that inside electric field be necessarily zero. Okay?

 

[mfb]

Right.