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Two hollow conducting concentric spheres of radii R and r have positive charges with equal surface charge densities (σ). What is the electric potential at their common center? (r>R)

Physics

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Answer

(2) kQ3\text{(2) } \frac{kQ}{3}

Step-by-step solution

5 steps
  1. Identify the given parameters and the formula for electric potential.

    The inner conducting sphere has radius R1=2R_1 = 2 m and charge Q1=QQ_1 = Q.
    The outer conducting sphere has radius R2=6R_2 = 6 m and charge Q2=−QQ_2 = -Q.
    The electric potential VV at a distance rr from the center of a conducting sphere with charge Q′Q' and radius R′R' is given by:

    V(r)={kQ′R′for r≤R′kQ′rfor r>R′V(r) = \begin{cases} \frac{kQ'}{R'} & \text{for } r \le R' \\ \frac{kQ'}{r} & \text{for } r > R' \end{cases}

    where k=14πϵ0k = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} is Coulomb's constant.

  2. Calculate the electric potential on the surface of the inner sphere (V1V_1).

    The potential on the inner sphere (r=R1r=R_1) is due to its own charge Q1Q_1 and the charge Q2Q_2 on the outer sphere.
    The point r=R1r=R_1 is on the surface of the inner sphere and inside the outer sphere.
    Potential due to Q1Q_1: V1,Q1=kQ1R1=kQ2V_{1,Q_1} = \frac{kQ_1}{R_1} = \frac{kQ}{2}
    Potential due to Q2Q_2: Since r=R1<R2r=R_1 < R_2, the potential due to the outer sphere at this point is the same as its surface potential. V1,Q2=kQ2R2=k(−Q)6=−kQ6V_{1,Q_2} = \frac{kQ_2}{R_2} = \frac{k(-Q)}{6} = -\frac{kQ}{6}
    The total potential on the inner sphere is:

    V1=V1,Q1+V1,Q2=kQ2−kQ6=kQ(12−16)=kQ(3−16)=kQ(26)=kQ3V_1 = V_{1,Q_1} + V_{1,Q_2} = \frac{kQ}{2} - \frac{kQ}{6} = kQ \left( \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{6} \right) = kQ \left( \frac{3-1}{6} \right) = kQ \left( \frac{2}{6} \right) = \frac{kQ}{3}
  3. Calculate the electric potential on the surface of the outer sphere (V2V_2).

    The potential on the outer sphere (r=R2r=R_2) is due to the charge Q1Q_1 on the inner sphere and its own charge Q2Q_2.
    The point r=R2r=R_2 is outside the inner sphere and on the surface of the outer sphere.
    Potential due to Q1Q_1: Since r=R2>R1r=R_2 > R_1, V2,Q1=kQ1R2=kQ6V_{2,Q_1} = \frac{kQ_1}{R_2} = \frac{kQ}{6}
    Potential due to Q2Q_2: V2,Q2=kQ2R2=k(−Q)6=−kQ6V_{2,Q_2} = \frac{kQ_2}{R_2} = \frac{k(-Q)}{6} = -\frac{kQ}{6}
    The total potential on the outer sphere is:

    V2=V2,Q1+V2,Q2=kQ6−kQ6=0V_2 = V_{2,Q_1} + V_{2,Q_2} = \frac{kQ}{6} - \frac{kQ}{6} = 0
  4. Calculate the potential difference between the two spheres.

    The potential difference between the spheres is ΔV=V1−V2\Delta V = V_1 - V_2.

    ΔV=kQ3−0=kQ3\Delta V = \frac{kQ}{3} - 0 = \frac{kQ}{3}
  5. Compare the result with the given options.

    The calculated potential difference is kQ3\frac{kQ}{3}, which matches option (2).

    The final answer is (2) kQ3\text{(2) } \frac{kQ}{3}.

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