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Question -

A spherical conducting shell of innerradius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q.

(a) A charge is placed at the centre ofthe shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner and outer surfacesof the shell?

(b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge)zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but has any irregular shape? Explain.



Answer -

(a) Charge placed at the centre of a shell is +q.Hence, a charge of magnitude −q will be induced to the innersurface of the shell. Therefore, total charge on the inner surface of the shellis −q.

Surface charge density at the inner surface of the shellis given by the relation,

A charge of +q is induced onthe outer surface of the shell. A charge of magnitude Q isplaced on the outer surface of the shell. Therefore, total charge on the outersurface of the shell is Q + q. Surface chargedensity at the outer surface of the shell,

(b) Yes

The electric field intensity inside a cavityis zero, even if the shell is not spherical and has any irregular shape. Take aclosed loop such that a part of it is inside the cavity along a field linewhile the rest is inside the conductor. Net work done by the field in carryinga test charge over a closed loop is zero because the field inside the conductoris zero. Hence, electric field is zero, whatever is the shape.

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