Electric Field and Potential from a point charge

In summary, the problem at hand involves a positive point charge in a conducting thin shell that is overall neutral. The charge is not located at the center of the sphere, making the determination of electric field and potential inside the sphere complicated. The method of image charges can be used to solve this problem. Additionally, the outer surface of the shell has a uniform distribution of positive charge.
  • #1
guv
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In this problem, we have a positive point charge in a conducting thin shell. The shell is overall neutral. The complication is that the charge is not at the center of the sphere but maybe half radius away.

How do we find the electric field and potential inside the sphere?

Why the distribution of positive charge on the outer surface of the shell uniform?

Thanks!
 
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  • #3
Thanks, this is not a homework problem but something I was thinking about the other day. Glad to know it's covered by the method of image charges.
 
  • #4
I would suggest you read the article. It's not something that is there, it's a solution method.
 

FAQ: Electric Field and Potential from a point charge

1. What is an electric field?

An electric field is a region in space where a charged particle experiences a force. This force can either be attractive or repulsive, depending on the sign of the charge. The strength of the electric field is measured in units of volts per meter (V/m).

2. How is the electric field from a point charge calculated?

The electric field from a point charge is calculated using the equation E = kQ/r^2, where k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge of the particle, and r is the distance from the point charge. This equation is known as Coulomb's Law.

3. What is the relationship between electric field and electric potential?

Electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. The relationship between electric field and electric potential is given by the equation V = kQ/r, where V is the electric potential, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge of the particle, and r is the distance from the point charge.

4. How does the electric field and potential change as distance from a point charge increases?

As distance from a point charge increases, both the electric field and potential decrease. This is because the force and potential energy between two charges decrease as the distance between them increases. The relationship between electric field and distance is inverse square, while the relationship between electric potential and distance is inverse.

5. What is the difference between electric field and electric potential?

Electric field is a vector quantity that represents the magnitude and direction of the force experienced by a charged particle, while electric potential is a scalar quantity that represents the potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. In simpler terms, electric field tells us how a charged particle will move, while electric potential tells us how much work is needed to move the charged particle to a certain point in the field.

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