Understanding Electrostatics: Calculating Potential of Metal Spheres

[vijayramakrishnan]

Homework Statement

while solving a problem i got a doubt from one of the steps,

there are 2 metal spheres ,distance between them is l.the charges present on the sphere and radii are q1,r1 and q2,r2 respectively.
now we have to find the potential on sphere 1 due to 2 and on sphere 2 due to 1.(anything can be taken as first and second sphere)

Homework Equations

potential due to a sphere= kq/r

The Attempt at a Solution

i know to find potential due to sphere on the centre of another sphere but how to find potential on sphere?
and won't the charge distribution of one sphere be affected due to second sphere?and hence won't the potential also be disturbed?

we can assume spheres are fixed.

 

[haruspex]

and won't the charge distribution of one sphere be affected due to second sphere?

Quite so. Googling produces several promising hits. Try this one: http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/468/2145/2829