Electric potential at the outer surface of the insulating sphere?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric potential at the outer surface of a uniformly charged insulating sphere with a radius of 3.6 cm and a charge density of -218.0 μC/m³. The problem also involves determining the potential difference between the outer surface of the insulating sphere and an uncharged spherical conducting shell with inner and outer radii of 10.9 cm and 12.9 cm, respectively. Key equations include ΔV(a->b) = ∫E.dA, and participants emphasize the importance of calculating the total charge on the insulating sphere and the charge distribution on the conducting shell.

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  • Understanding of electric potential and charge density
  • Familiarity with Gauss's Law
  • Knowledge of integration techniques in electrostatics
  • Ability to calculate electric fields from charge distributions
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  • Calculate the total charge on the insulating sphere using the formula Q = ρ * V, where V is the volume of the sphere.
  • Learn about charge distribution on conductors, specifically the behavior of charges on the inner and outer surfaces of conducting shells.
  • Study the application of Gauss's Law to find electric fields in spherical geometries.
  • Explore the concept of electric potential and how to compute it from electric fields using integration.
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bodaciousbob
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1.A solid insulating sphere of radius a = 3.6 cm is fixed at the origin of a co-ordinate system as shown. The sphere is uniformly charged with a charge density ρ = -218.0 μC/m3. Concentric with the sphere is an uncharged spherical conducting shell of inner radius b = 10.9 cm, and outer radius c = 12.9 cm.

http://imgur.com/R4vpBTr

1)
What is V(a), the electric potential at the outer surface of the insulating sphere? Define the potential to be zero at infinity.

2)
What is V(c) - V(a), the potentital differnece between the outer surface of the conductor and the outer surface of the insulator?

Homework Equations



ΔV(a->b) = ∫E.dA3. I have so many miscellaneous pieces of paper scattered around my room, with chicken scratch on them, as I have been trying to many techniques for the last 3 hours. I just CAN'T get it - so I beg you - someone out there in internet land.. Can you PLEASE give me detailed instructions and walk me through this problem? There are 4 other parts to it, but by SOME miracle I have figured those out... Please??!
 
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bodaciousbob said:
1.A solid insulating sphere of radius a = 3.6 cm is fixed at the origin of a co-ordinate system as shown. The sphere is uniformly charged with a charge density ρ = -218.0 μC/m3. Concentric with the sphere is an uncharged spherical conducting shell of inner radius b = 10.9 cm, and outer radius c = 12.9 cm.

http://imgur.com/R4vpBTr

1)
What is V(a), the electric potential at the outer surface of the insulating sphere? Define the potential to be zero at infinity.

2)
What is V(c) - V(a), the potential difference between the outer surface of the conductor and the outer surface of the insulator?

Homework Equations



ΔV(a->b) = ∫E.dA

3. I have so many miscellaneous pieces of paper scattered around my room, with chicken scratch on them, as I have been trying to many techniques for the last 3 hours. I just CAN'T get it - so I beg you - someone out there in internet land.. Can you PLEASE give me detailed instructions and walk me through this problem? There are 4 other parts to it, but by SOME miracle I have figured those out... Please??!
attachment.php?attachmentid=55157&stc=1&d=1359447141.jpg

Hello bodaciousbob. Welcome to PF !

Have you calculated the total charge on the insulating sphere?

What is the charge on the inner surface of the conducting spherical shell?

What is the charge on the outer surface of the conducting spherical shell?

Start at infinity and find the potential V(c), then V(b), and then V(a) .
 

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