Electric potential between two concentric spherical shells

In summary, the problem involves two isolated, concentric, conducting spherical shells with radii ##R_1=0.500 m## and ##R_2=1.00 m##, and uniform charges ##q_1=2.00 mC## and ##q_2=1.00 mC##, with negligible thickness. The task is to find the magnitude of the electric field at three different radial distances (##r=4.00 m##, ##r=0.700 m##, and ##r=0.200 m##) and the electric potential at six different radial distances (##r=4.00 m##, ##r=1.00 m##, ##r=0.
  • #1
AdrianMachin
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Homework Statement


(The complete problem statement and solution are inside the attached picture)
Two isolated, concentric, conducting spherical shells have radii ##R_1=0.500 m## and ##R_2=1.00 m##, uniform charges ##q_1=2.00 mC## and ##q_2=1.00 mC##, and negligible thicknesses. What is the magnitude of the electric field E at radial distance (a) ##r=4.00 m##, (b) ##r=0.700 m##, and (c) ##r= 0.200 m##? With ##V=0## at infinity, what is V at (d) ##r=4.00 m##, (e) ##r=1.00 m##, (f) ##r=0.700 m##, (g) ##r=0.500 m##,(h) ##r=0.200 m##, and (i) ##r=0##? (j) Sketch ##E(r)## and ##V(r)##.

Homework Equations


$$V_f-V_i=-\int_i^f \vec E \cdot d\vec s\,$$
or
$$V=-\int_i^f \vec E \cdot d\vec s\,$$

The Attempt at a Solution


For part (f) and using the results of the previous parts of the problem:
$$V(r)=-\int_{\infty}^{R_2} {E_1}(r) \,dr -\int_{R_2}^r {E_2}(r) \,dr=\frac {q_1 + q_2} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 r}+ \frac {q_1} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 r} - \frac {q_1} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 R_2}$$

And it simplifies to:
$$= \frac {1} {4 \pi \epsilon_0} (\frac {2q_1 + q_2} {r} - \frac {q_1} {R_2})$$
Which is different than what's in the problem's official solution.
Would someone please help me with this?
 

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  • #2
AdrianMachin said:
For part (f) and using the results of the previous parts of the problem:
$$V(r)=-\int_{\infty}^{R_2} {E_1}(r) \,dr -\int_{R_2}^r {E_2}(r) \,dr=\frac {q_1 + q_2} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 r}+ \frac {q_1} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 r} - \frac {q_1} {4 \pi \epsilon_0 R_2}$$
For the first term on the far right side, how do you get ##r## to appear in the denominator? Does this term come from the first integral? Note that this integral does not contain ##r## in the limits of integration.
 
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1. What is the formula for calculating electric potential between two concentric spherical shells?

The formula for calculating electric potential between two concentric spherical shells is V = kQ/R, where k is the Coulomb's constant (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), Q is the charge of the inner shell, and R is the distance between the two shells.

2. How does the electric potential between two concentric spherical shells vary with distance?

The electric potential between two concentric spherical shells decreases with distance according to an inverse relationship. This means that the potential decreases as the distance between the two shells increases.

3. What factors affect the electric potential between two concentric spherical shells?

The electric potential between two concentric spherical shells is affected by the charge of the inner shell, the distance between the two shells, and the Coulomb's constant. It is also affected by the medium between the shells, as a higher dielectric constant will result in a lower potential.

4. Can the electric potential between two concentric spherical shells be negative?

Yes, the electric potential between two concentric spherical shells can be negative. This occurs when the inner shell has a negative charge or when the distance between the shells is greater than the charge of the inner shell divided by the Coulomb's constant.

5. How is the electric potential between two concentric spherical shells related to the electric field between the shells?

The electric potential between two concentric spherical shells is related to the electric field between the shells by the equation E = -dV/dR, where E is the electric field, V is the electric potential, and R is the distance between the shells. This means that the electric field is equal to the negative derivative of the electric potential with respect to distance.

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