Electrostatic induction in different size spheres

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on electrostatic induction between two spheres of different sizes, specifically a charged sphere with charge Q and radius r, and another sphere with radius R (where R > r). Using Gauss's Law, it is established that when the larger sphere is grounded and then separated, it acquires a charge of opposite polarity to the smaller sphere, potentially resulting in a voltage that can exceed that of the smaller sphere if R is smaller than r. The relationship between the capacitance of the spheres and their distance is critical in determining the final charge distribution and voltage levels.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with capacitance concepts and calculations
  • Knowledge of equivalent circuit diagrams
  • Basic principles of electrostatic induction
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electrostatic induction in detail
  • Learn about capacitance calculations for spherical conductors
  • Explore the implications of grounding in electrostatic systems
  • Investigate the effects of distance on capacitance and charge distribution
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Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in electrostatics and charge distribution phenomena will benefit from this discussion.

abdo799
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if we have a charged sphere with charge Q and radius r, the voltage on it's surface is calculated by gauss's law, what if we approach to it another sphere with radius R , R>r, Earth it, remove earth, basically charging by induction, will the sphere have the same charge, which means less voltage on the surface or same voltage which means more charge?
In other words my question is , which one is induced the voltage or the charge?
 
You can model this situation with an equivalent circuit diagram.
28txe08.jpg

R and r both have a capacity relative to ground and they also have a capacity relative to each other. CRr is variable and depends on the distance of the two spheres to each other. So first you bring R and r very close, which makes CRr large. Then you ground R (i.e. you close the switch) for a moment which gives CRr about the same amount of charge as Cr assuming that CRr is much larger than the capacity of the two spheres. After you open the switch again you move the two spheres apart i.e. make CRr small. As a result all of the charge from CRr is dumped into R which will then have about the same amount of charge as r but with opposite polarity. Of course if CRr is not that large because the two spheres are not close enough then R will and up with less charge than r.
Btw. The voltage that drops over CR while it is still uncharged i.e. before you close the switch, will get closer and closer to the voltage of Cr as the two spheres approach each other but will not exceed it. Only after you ground R and then remove it from r can it's voltage become higher than that of r and that only if R is smaller than r.
 
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