Electric potential at the center of two concentric shells

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric potential at the center of two concentric shells, with given potentials of 10 volts for the inner shell and 5 volts for the outer shell. Participants are exploring the implications of these values and the nature of the shells, whether they are conducting or non-conducting.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to reason that the potential at the center is equal to the potential of the inner shell due to the electric field being zero at that point. Others question the assumptions regarding the nature of the shells and the necessity of knowing charge distribution.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the assumptions made regarding the shells' properties. There is no explicit consensus on whether the shells are conducting or non-conducting, and the need for more information on charge distribution is highlighted.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original question does not specify whether the shells are conducting or non-conducting, nor does it mention charge distribution, which may affect the analysis.

judas_priest
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Homework Statement



If the electric potential of the inner shell is 10 volts and that of outer shell is 5 volts, then the potential at the center will be?

Homework Equations



The radius of inner shell = a (given)
The radius of outer shell = 2a (given)

The Attempt at a Solution



Having read that electric field at the center of a shell is zero, I assume, the potential is constant throughout like in the case of a conducting sphere, and hence the answer is 10 volts. But I could get this answer only after a lot of manipulation, and I'm still not clear about it.

Also, if someone can help me out with why the electric field inside a shell is zero? Doesn't necessarily have to be a conducting shell.
 
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judas_priest said:

Homework Statement



If the electric potential of the inner shell is 10 volts and that of outer shell is 5 volts, then the potential at the center will be?

Homework Equations



The radius of inner shell = a (given)
The radius of outer shell = 2a (given)

The Attempt at a Solution



Having read that electric field at the center of a shell is zero, I assume, the potential is constant throughout like in the case of a conducting sphere, and hence the answer is 10 volts. But I could get this answer only after a lot of manipulation, and I'm still not clear about it.

Also, if someone can help me out with why the electric field inside a shell is zero? Doesn't necessarily have to be a conducting shell.
If it is a conducting shell and there are no isolated charges inside, then the result is quite easy.

If it's not a conducting shell, then we need more information regarding the charge distribution.
 
The question doesn't mention whether it's conducting, or non conducting.
 
judas_priest said:
The question doesn't mention whether it's conducting, or non conducting.
Does it mention charge distribution ?
 
SammyS said:
Does it mention charge distribution ?

No. I've written question as it is. Copied it. Doesn't mention anything.
 
After thinking about this for a while, and in consideration of your replies, I'm quite sure that it doesn't matter whether the shells are conducting or not.

In coming up with your answer, did you determine what charges were on the shells?
 

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