Point Charges Composing A Sphere

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the electrostatic potential of a sphere composed of multiple point charges. The original poster expresses uncertainty about applying Gauss's Law in this context, particularly in determining a single charge value for the sphere made up of numerous individual charges.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster considers using a summation of charges to apply Gauss's Law but questions the feasibility due to the number of charges involved. Some participants suggest applying Gauss's Law directly to the sphere without further breakdown.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. There is a suggestion to move the conversation to a more appropriate section of the forum, indicating a shift in focus rather than a resolution of the original question.

Contextual Notes

The original poster clarifies that their inquiry is not for homework, which may influence the nature of the discussion and the types of responses received.

RockMc
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I have a quick question about understanding the theory behind point charges and electrostatic potentials. I've not had any classes in electrodynamics, so I lack a comfortable foundation to help me think about these problems.

I need to determine the electrostatic potential a certain distance from a charged sphere. I know you can view a sphere as a point charge and apply Gauss's Law, but the difference for me is that my sphere is made up of hundreds of individual charges composing this sphere. Each charge can be viewed as individual point charges and they all have the same value.

My question is how do I get a single charge value for the sphere.

Homework Equations



E = Q / 4∏(ε0)r

The Attempt at a Solution



I thought about taking the (Q/r) portion of Gauss's law and doing a summation over all the atoms, but with the amount of atoms making up the sphere this is unreasonable. Is there some simpler way to think about this problem?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
welcome to physicsforums, RockMc. Is this really homework? This thread might be better in the classical physics section instead (if it is not homework).
 
Ah, it's not homework! Thanks for the advice. I'll close this and move over to there!
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi RockMc! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Can't you just apply Gauss' law to any sphere round all the charges?
 
RockMc said:
Ah, it's not homework! Thanks for the advice. I'll close this and move over to there!

Excellent. I'll try to give helpful advice there.
 

Similar threads

Work done to insert a point charge 𝑞 at the center of a conducting sphere
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Induced charge on a conducting sphere sliced by a plane
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Charge on a grounded conducting sphere in a uniform electric field, after ungrounding and movement
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K
Use of imaginary charge vs Gauss' law
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Point charge with very thin metal sheet along a spherical surface
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Using Gauss' Law to find the field at a point
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Electric field at a point inside a non-uniformly charged sphere
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Understanding the Electric Field of a Charged Sphere
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Electric field inside/outside (uniformly charged sphere)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K