Why there is no electric field outside of the sphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the absence of an electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor when a point charge -q is placed at its center. According to Gauss' law, the total electric flux through a Gaussian surface is determined by the enclosed charge. In this scenario, the enclosed charge sums to zero (-q from the point charge and +q from the conductor), resulting in no electric field outside the sphere.

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  • Knowledge of charge distribution in conductors
  • Basic principles of electrostatics and field lines
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brad sue
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Hi, I need to understand something:

A point charge -q is fixed at the center of a hollw spherical conductor of charge +q. Draw the electric field lines both inside and outside.

Please can you explain me why there is no electric field outside the sphere?
thank you
 
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If you're using Gauss' law to find the electric field, then the total electric flux out of your gaussian surface is proportional to the enclosed charge. If you add up the charge inside your gaussian surface (say, a sphere with a radius bigger than the spherical conductor), what is it? (what is -q + +q?)
 

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