Will a Metal Sphere's Charge be Uniformly Distributed?

[chukie]

Just wondering: If a metal sphere is charged, will the extra charge be uniformly distributed over the volume of the sphere.

i think that it will? but not sure about it being uniformly distributed.

 

[Hootenanny]

Just wondering: If a metal sphere is charged, will the extra charge be uniformly distributed over the volume of the sphere.

i think that it will? but not sure about it being uniformly distributed.

What is the value of the electric field inside a [charged] conductor?

 

[chukie]

What is the value of the electric field inside a [charged] conductor?

zero...im sorry but i don't really see the connection

 

[Hootenanny]

zero

Correct. Having charges distributed over the entire volume of the sphere, would mean that there must be some net charge inside the sphere, which would result in a non-zero electric field. So, where must the charges be distributed?

 

[chukie]

Correct. Having charges distributed over the entire volume of the sphere, would mean that there must be some net charge inside the sphere, which would result in a non-zero electric field. So, where must the charges be distributed?

sorry, i really don't know where the charges should be distributed. I am guessing the outer surface of the sphere?

 

[Hootenanny]

im guessing the outer surface of the sphere?

Correct . If the charges are uniformally distributed on the outer surface of the sphere, then this results in the electric field inside the sphere being zero.

 

[chukie]

great thanks so much! =)