# Regarding ' The Electric field inside a non conducting shell '

1. Jun 1, 2014

### Uday

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
There is a Uniformly charged Non conducting Spherical shell along with a point charge external to the shell . they make up an isolated system . Find the electric field inside the shell .

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution Actually using superposition principle we obtain that the field is actually non zero . But in order to calculate the electric field inside the shell if i use gauss law by considering a gaussian surface inside the shell .... there will be no charge enclosed in it so by gauss law the flux is zero . since in that case ∫E.da = E∫da which is equal to zero . Since ∫da is non zero E must be zero .......
I guess there is some fault with this but im unable to find it out . So plz can u help me .
And thanks for sparing ur valuable time to read this .

Last edited: Jun 1, 2014
2. Jun 1, 2014

### haruspex

That will not be true in general. Is anything known about the shape of the shell?

3. Jun 1, 2014

### Uday

Im sorry thats a spherical shell
and i have edited my question .

Last edited: Jun 1, 2014
4. Jun 1, 2014

### Tanya Sharma

Hello Uday

I think the problem lies in concluding that if the flux across the gaussian spherical surface is zero ,then the electric field is zero .

What is your reasoning behind moving E out of the integral ∫E.ds ?

5. Jun 1, 2014

### Uday

Ya ..... thats ryt E isnt constant .....

6. Jun 1, 2014

### haruspex

OK, so forget the point charge for the moment. What field does a uniformly charged spherical shell generate inside itself?
Hint: when considering a Gaussian shell placed concentrically inside it, think about the symmetry.