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A point charge with a charge of -3Q is placed at the center of a conducting spherical shell. The shell has an inner radius a, an outer radius b, and a net charge of +2Q.
What is the electric field as a function of r?
For r > b, E = kQ/r2 and points toward the center
For a < r < b, E = 0
For r < a, E = 3kQ/r2, directed toward the center
What is the electric potential as a function of r?
To find the total potential we can simply use superposition. The net potential is the potential from the different pieces, the point charge, the +3Q charge on the inner surface of the conductor, and the -Q on the outer surface of the conductor.
Region | Point Charge | Conductor Inner surface | Conductor Outer surface | Net Potential |
---|---|---|---|---|
r > b | -3kQ/r | +3kQ/r | -kQ/r | -kQ/r |
a < r < b | -3kQ/r | +3kQ/r | -kQ/b | -kQ/b |
r < a | -3kQ/r | +3kQ/a | -kQ/b | -3kQ/r + 3kQ/a - kQ/b |