Where are Electrons on a Charged Metal Sphere?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electrons on a charged metal sphere, specifically addressing the distribution of charge when the sphere is negatively charged.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the distribution of electrons on the sphere, with some suggesting an even distribution while others seek clarification on the reasoning behind this assumption.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the concept, with some participants affirming the idea of even distribution and others questioning the underlying principles. Guidance has been offered regarding the behavior of electric fields in charged conductors.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of charge distribution on the surface of conductors, with a focus on the requirement that the electric field inside a charged conductor must be zero.

daniel69
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Suppose you give a metal sphere a negative charge. The electrons on the sphere will be...

A. located right in the middle of the shere
B. distributed in small bunches over the outside of the shere
C. evenly distributed over the outside of the shere
D. none of these
 
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Where do you think they will be?
 
C. evenly distributed
 
daniel69 said:
C. evenly distributed
Why?
 
because the particle is now negatively charged so as a whole it should be charged negatively which i think would be done by an evenly distribution of electrons
 
daniel69 said:
because the particle is now negatively charged so as a whole it should be charged negatively which i think would be done by an evenly distribution of electrons
More specifically, the electric field inside a charged conductor must be zero and therefore all the net charge must lie on the surface.

Your answer is correct, I just wanted to make sure that you understood why.
 
thanks you
 

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