Uncharged spherical conducting shell

[VU2]

An uncharged spherical conducting shell surrounds charge -q at the center of the shell. Then a charge+ +3q is placed on the outside of the shell. When static equilibrium is reached, the charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the she are respecteively... +q,-q is the answer.

Does the +3q charge play any roll in that answer? Help. Thanks!

 

[SammyS]

An uncharged spherical conducting shell surrounds charge -q at the center of the shell. Then a charge+ +3q is placed on the outside of the shell. When static equilibrium is reached, the charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the she are respecteively... +q,-q is the answer.

Does the +3q charge play any roll in that answer? Help. Thanks!

Do you know Gauss's Law ?

 

[VU2]

Yes, its E=q/[ε*area], where q is the charge enclosed.

 

[SammyS]

Yes, its E=q/[ε*area], where q is the charge enclosed.

That should give you your answer.

 

[VU2]

So +3q charge doesn't play any roll at all right?

 

[SammyS]

So +3q charge doesn't play any roll at all right?

That is correct, as far as the total charge on the exterior. However,the +3q does affect the distribution of that charge.