How Does Gauss' Law Apply to Charged Spheres?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the application of Gauss' Law to charged spheres, specifically addressing the electrostatic conditions within conductors. The participant initially misunderstands the relationship between charge distribution inside a cavity and the surface of the conductor. Key calculations involve determining the net charge on the surface using the formula Q = σ * A, where A is the surface area of the sphere. The correct approach emphasizes that the charge resides solely on the surface, leading to a revised understanding of charge density calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss' Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with charge distribution in conductors
  • Knowledge of surface area calculations for spheres
  • Basic proficiency in algebraic manipulation of equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of Gauss' Law in electrostatics
  • Learn about charge distribution in conductors and insulators
  • Explore the concept of electric field strength and its relation to charge density
  • Practice problems involving surface area calculations for various geometric shapes
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Students of physics, educators teaching electrostatics, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of charge distribution and Gauss' Law applications.

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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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recomendacion said:
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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