Why is the Electric Field Zero at the Center of a Charged Ring?

[mike115]

Homework Statement

A circular ring of charge of radius b has a total charge q uniformly distributed around it. The magnitude of the electric field at the center of the ring is:
[Answer: 0]

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

From the problem, do you just assume that the circular ring is a conductor? And since the charge is uniformly distributed, the conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium and there is no electric field? I'm not quite sure on how to think through it.

 

[rock.freak667]

Homework Statement

A circular ring of charge of radius b has a total charge q uniformly distributed around it.

Isn't that technically the same as a hollow sphere with charges uniformly distributed around it?

 

[mike115]

Ah, I guess it is. Can you tell me if this explanation is correct?

All the excess charge in the conductor must be located at the surface of the conductor. If we construct a Gaussian surface inside the shell, the net electric flux and the electric field are both zero since there is no net charge inside the conductor.