How Does Gauss' Law Apply to Charged Spheres?

AI Thread Summary
Gauss' Law is crucial for understanding the behavior of electric fields in charged spheres, particularly in electrostatic conditions where the net electric field inside a conductor is zero. When a charge is placed in a cavity within a conductor, it induces an equal and opposite charge on the cavity's surface, while the outer surface must also adjust to maintain overall charge neutrality. The discussion highlights a misunderstanding in calculating charge density, emphasizing that the correct formula for surface charge is Q = σ * A, where A is the surface area. The user struggles with applying these principles to solve a specific physics problem, indicating a need for clearer connections between theory and practical application. Understanding these concepts is essential for mastering electrostatics and effectively applying Gauss' Law.
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Hi everyone, I am struggling with gauss law. I understand the basic concept , but I can not relate it to other physics problems. I have this physics problem. I want to really understand physics, but I can't. I have watched a lo of videos but I still don't understand. I am going to give my approach to this problem and you guys tell me what is the problem in my understanding in physics


I understand that in a electrostatic condition, the net field inside the conductor must be zero otherwise particles would be moving. If we consider a circle with a cavity without charge, i would expect that the surface doesn't have any charge either, but if we place a charge in the cavity, there must be a charge in the surface to compensate this charge.

In the problem, the outer radius I think is the radius of the sphere and the inner radius the one of the cavity. If we place a charge in the cavity there must be a contrapositive charge to this charge on the surface of the cavity. Hence the charge is negative -q, there must be a +q charge in the surface of the cavity. Then we have to compensate to the charge in the outer surface so we need place a -q charge. I think that we have to calculate the original net charge on the surface of the conductor and then subtract this -q. Therefore, with the result find the new charge density.

Procedure

Q=σ*V
Q=6.67*10^-6*(4/3*PI*(0.243)^3
Q=4.008*10^-7
so this is the net charge on the surface of the conductor

Qnew=4.008*10^-7-0.870*10^-6=-4.692*10^-7

σnew=(-4.692*10^-7)/(4/3*pi*(0.243^3)
σnew=-2.68*10^-7 C/m^2

This is probably very wrong.
 

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Procedure

Q=σ*V
Q=6.67*10^-6*(4/3*PI*(0.243)^3

Since the charge is only on the surface, you don't use Q = \sigma * V, you use Q = \sigma * A where A is the surface area, 4 \pi r^2
 
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