Grounded conductor within a charged shell

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the electrostatic behavior of two conducting shells, where the inner shell is grounded and the outer shell carries a charge Q. The equation derived from the potential conditions is KQ/b + Kq/a = 0, leading to the conclusion that q = -(a/b)Q. This indicates that grounding the inner shell effectively transfers a charge of -(a/b)Q to the ground, which acts as a large reservoir of charge. The implications of this grounding on the charge distribution are clarified, emphasizing the relationship between the shells and the ground.

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  • Familiarity with the concept of electric potential
  • Knowledge of charge distribution in conductive materials
  • Basic principles of grounding in electrical circuits
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anirudh30
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In a question there are two conducting shells of radii a and b (a<b),the outer shell is given a charge Q . And the inner shell is grounded then the potential of that shell was equated to zero and its charge was assumed q.
And it resulted in an equation
KQ/b + Kq/a = 0 this gave q = -(a/b)Q
But when a conductor is grounded then the conductor can be taken as ground itself and then it will be equivalent of saying that we charged the ground with -(a/b)Q charge as the inner shell has this much charge.?
Please help me clear it.
 
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Ground is a large resivor of charges that can be moved where ever needed. The rest of the ground has a charge of (a/b)Q as the opposite is now in that little ball.
 
Yeah thanks!
 

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