Potential energy in concentric shells

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential energy associated with two concentric shells, where the inner shell has a charge Q and the outer shell is neutral. Participants explore the implications of these conditions on potential energy calculations and the behavior of electric fields in this configuration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential of the outer shell due to the inner shell and question the implications of the outer shell being neutral on its potential energy. Some express confusion about the assumptions regarding the thickness of the outer shell and the presence of induced charges.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the nature of electric fields and potential energy. There are multiple interpretations being explored regarding the effects of the outer shell's characteristics on the overall energy calculations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the lack of explicit information about the thickness of the outer shell, which affects their calculations and assumptions about charge distribution. There is also mention of the need to reassess initial potential energy based on the configuration of the shells.

  • #61
gracy said:
The answer I got is indeed a correct answer.
Your work looks correct.
 
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  • #62
ehild said:
The question was "A solid conducting sphere of radius a having a charge Q is surrounded by a conducting shell of inner radius 2a and outer radius 3a as shown.Find the amount of heat produced when switch is closed."
Where is that switch?
The switch makes a connection from the solid sphere to the shell.
 
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  • #63
SammyS said:
The switch makes a connection from the solid sphere to the shell.
Have you seen that switch anywhere in the thread, or you could see the original figure in Gracy's book due to your supernatural abilities?
 
  • #64
ehild said:
Have you seen that switch anywhere in the thread, or you could see the original figure in Gracy's book due to your supernatural abilities?
Had to be the latter.:smile:
 
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  • #65
ehild said:
Have you seen that switch anywhere in the thread, or you could see the original figure in Gracy's book due to your supernatural abilities?
Not supernatural. (Thanks for the vote of confidence, TSny).

Back in Post #47, I suggested to gracy, that she edit the OP. In that suggestion, I added a few words to her restated problem as it appeared in Post #4.

I knew about the switch from a link to a video that gracy sent to me in a pm.

I should have pushed harder for her to give a more complete statement of the problem.
Here is a screen shot:
upload_2016-1-17_15-30-51.png


Here is the figure at a larger scale.
upload_2016-1-17_15-46-52.png


This video can be found on the site: physicsgalaxy.com , by Ashish Arora.
 
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