Work to construct a conducting sphere

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the work required to assemble a conducting sphere of radius R and charge Q from infinity, the initial approach incorrectly assumes that the work is solely based on the final potential. The correct method involves recognizing that as charges are brought in, they experience varying electric fields due to the sphere's increasing charge. The work done should account for the gradual buildup of charge on the sphere, leading to the conclusion that the work required is (kQ^2)/(2R). This reflects the integral nature of the problem, where the work varies based on the amount of charge already present on the sphere. Understanding this integral approach clarifies the discrepancy in the initial calculation.
ClCripper
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I need to find the work it would take an applied force to assemble a conducting sphere of radius R and charge Q at constant kinetic energy from infinity.

Tried:
Since the Electric Field inside the conductor is zero I figured it wouldn't take any work to build the whole sphere until we got to the surface. Then the work that it would take would be the work required to build a spherical shell with no thickness. This seems like it is not an integral to me.
I am using:
W(applied)=QV
since V=Vf-Vi and Vi=0
and Vf=kQ/R

Solution:
I come up with
W(applied)=(kQ^2)/R

The correct answer should be (kQ^2)/(2R)

What am I doing wrong?
 
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You've computed the work it would take to bring a charge Q in from infinity to a sphere whose charge is already Q. I think it is an integral problem. If there is no charge on the sphere initially then the charges you bring in first take very little work.
 
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