How Is Work Calculated When Moving a Charge Near a Conducting Shell?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the work done to move a test charge from the origin to the edge of a spherical conducting shell with an equal charge. The participant initially believes that the forces cancel at the origin due to symmetry but is uncertain about the next steps. They attempted to use the formula for work, arriving at an incorrect answer involving the shell's radius. The conversation also references Gauss' Law, questioning the electric field behavior inside the spherical shell. Understanding the implications of Gauss' Law is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
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Homework Statement

Find the work done to move a test charge with charge q from the origin to the edge of a spherical conducting shell which surrounds it, also of charge q. (Shell is of radius R).



Homework Equations

W = int(F.ds) where W = work done, F = force



The Attempt at a Solution

I would have thought that at the origin the force cancels out since there is an equal amount from each radial direction. Beyond this however I am not sure what to do... I tried the overall answer

(1/4*pi*epsilon0)*(q^2)/R where R is the radius of the shell, but that was incorrect. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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