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jdstokes
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Homework Statement
A total charge Q is shared by two metal spheres of small radii R1 and R2, that are connected by a long thin wire of length L. Fin (a) the charge on each sphre and (b) the tension in the wire.
Source: Haliday 4th edn chapter 26 q. 91, p. 738
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm a bit confused by this. I assume that since the potential must be uniform for a conductor, that we can make the equation
[itex]\frac{rQ}{4\pi\epsilon_0 R_1} = \frac{(1-r)Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 R_2}[/itex]
from which we obtain
[itex]Q_1 = \frac{Q}{1 + R_2/R_1}[/itex].
But I suppose this is only valid if the length of L is sufficiently large that we can ignore the interaction energy of the two spheres right?