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A small conducting spherical shell with inner radius a and outer radius b is con

ID: 1393035 • Letter: A

Question

A small conducting spherical shell with inner radius a and outer radius b is concentric with a larger conducting spherical shell with inner radius c and outer radius d. The inner shell has a total charge of -1q and the outer shell has a total charge of +3q.

Select True or False for the following statements.

The radial component of the electric field in the region r < a is given by -1q/(4??0r2).

The total charge on the outer surface of the small shell is -4q. The radial component of the electric field in the region r > d is given by +2q/(4??0r2).

The total charge on the outer surface of the large shell is +2q.

The radial component of the electric field in the region c < r < d is given by -1q/(4??0r2).

The total charge on the inner surface of the large shell is -4q.

The total charge on the inner surface of the small shell is zero.

Explanation / Answer

The whole set of questions is based on Gauss' theorem and the fact that inside a conductor the electric field is zero.

Just remember there is no electric field within a conducting body, and if there's no charge in its interior, there is no field either.

Now Going Ahead and Answering the questions.

The radial component of the electric field in the region r < a is given by -1q/(4??0r2). FALSE

The total charge on the outer surface of the small shell is -4q. FALSE

The radial component of the electric field in the region r > d is given by +2q/(4??0r2). TRUE


The total charge on the outer surface of the large shell is +2q. TRUE

The radial component of the electric field in the region c < r < d is given by -1q/(4??0r2). FALSE

The total charge on the inner surface of the large shell is -4q. False


The total charge on the inner surface of the small shell is zero. FALSE