Some problems in electic field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the behavior of charges in electrostatic equilibrium, particularly in the context of a conducting shell with a charge within a cavity. Participants explore concepts such as charge distribution, electrostatic shielding, and the implications of equilibrium states in electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of a statement regarding equilibrium, suggesting that if the charge were not at equilibrium, it would accelerate due to the electric field, affecting charge distribution.
  • Another participant explains that in electrostatic equilibrium, all charges within and on the conducting shell must be considered, and that the charges on the inner surface arrange themselves to cancel the electric field from the charge within the cavity.
  • There is a discussion about why the outer surface of the conducting shell has uniformly distributed positive charges, despite the presence of denser negative charges on the inner surface.
  • One participant seeks clarification on whether the electric field is zero within both the cavity and the metal shell or only within the shell, indicating confusion about the implications of charge arrangement.
  • Another participant reiterates that the charges on the inner surface ensure the electric field is zero throughout the material of the shell and beyond, but not within the cavity itself.
  • Questions arise regarding the uniform distribution of positive charges on the outer surface and whether this is due to the spherical shape of the shell.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty and seek clarification on several points, indicating that there is no consensus on the understanding of electrostatic equilibrium and charge distribution in this scenario.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of electrostatic principles, the dependence on definitions of equilibrium, and the implications of charge distribution in spherical conductors. Some participants express confusion about the relationship between the electric fields in the cavity and the conducting shell.

wowowo2006
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hey i got some problems in doing this question
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/tkm20022001/AL%20PHY/phy03mc_32_33.jpg"
the official ans is A
i don't know why the 2nd statement is wrong. i think it's right as it;s at equilibrium state if not the charge will accelerate due to e field presents and may affect the charge distribution which is not at a equilibrium
moreover i don't know why the 1st statement is true, the - charges should be denser at the inner surface near the + charge, why there is still evenly distrubuted + charges on outer surface denser even when the - charges are denser at some place.
i am just studying some basic physics
and my mates explain this to me with shielding effect and gauss surface. i don't know about this . Could someone help me solve this question and give me some simple explanation about shielding effect and gauss surface and how they can help me get the answer.
 
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wowowo2006 said:
i don't know why the 2nd statement is wrong. i think it's right as it;s at equilibrium state if not the charge will accelerate due to e field presents and may affect the charge distribution which is not at a equilibrium
Think of the charge within the cavity as being fixed in place by other forces. When they speak of electrostatic equilibrium, they mean all the charges within and on the conducting shell.
moreover i don't know why the 1st statement is true, the - charges should be denser at the inner surface near the + charge, why there is still evenly distrubuted + charges on outer surface denser even when the - charges are denser at some place.
The charges on the inner surface arrange themselves to cancel any field from the charge within the cavity--the field within the conducing shell must be zero. That effectively shields the outer surface from any effect of the charge within. Since it's a spherical surface, the induced charge on the outer surface distributes itself uniformly.
 
Doc Al said:
Think of the charge within the cavity as being fixed in place by other forces. When they speak of electrostatic equilibrium, they mean all the charges within and on the conducting shell.

The charges on the inner surface arrange themselves to cancel any field from the charge within the cavity--the field within the conducing shell must be zero. That effectively shields the outer surface from any effect of the charge within. Since it's a spherical surface, the induced charge on the outer surface distributes itself uniformly.
sorry i don't know what does 'The charges on the inner surface arrange themselves to cancel any field from the charge within the cavity' mean. does it mean that the e field within the cavity and the metal shell , both e field is zero or only with the shell. and why does the 'self arrangement of + charges' is uniform, is it just because the ball is a perfect sphere?. i don't know exactly why the unevenly distributed - charges can in a equilibrium state when the + charges besides them is evenly distributed. Could you give me more explanations please
 
wowowo2006 said:
sorry i don't know what does 'The charges on the inner surface arrange themselves to cancel any field from the charge within the cavity' mean. does it mean that the e field within the cavity and the metal shell , both e field is zero or only with the shell.
Sorry about that. I meant that the charges on the inner surface of the shell arrange themselves to ensure that the field is zero throughout the material of the shell (and all points beyond), not within the cavity itself.
and why does the 'self arrangement of + charges' is uniform, is it just because the ball is a perfect sphere?. i don't know exactly why the unevenly distributed - charges can in a equilibrium state when the + charges besides them is evenly distributed.
The combined field of the charge within the cavity and the charge on the inner surface of the shell is zero for all points beyond the inner surface. Thus as far as the outer surface goes, the charges on the inside exert no effect.
 

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