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A hollow metal sphere of radius \(5 \mathrm{~cm}\) is charged such that the potential on its surface is \(10 \mathrm{~V}\). The potential at the center of the sphere is a. \(0 \mathrm{~V}\) b. \(10 \mathrm{~V}\) c. same as at point \(5 \mathrm{~cm}\) away from the surface d. same as at a point \(20 \mathrm{~cm}\) away from the surface

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. \(10 \mathrm{~V}\)

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Electric Potential of a Conductor

For a charged conductor, the electric potential is the same everywhere inside and on its surface. This is because electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero.
02

Apply Concept to Hollow Sphere

Since the hollow metal sphere is a conductor, the electric potential is the same at the surface and at any point inside the sphere, including the center.
03

Determine Potential at the Center

The potential at the center of the sphere is the same as on the surface, which is given as \(10 \mathrm{~V}\).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Conductors in Electrostatics
Conductors have unique properties when it comes to their behavior in electrostatics. One of the key traits is that the electric potential throughout a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is uniform. This means that no matter where you measure the potential inside the conductor, it will be the same.
In electrostatics, the electric field inside a conductor is zero. This occurs because any external electric fields cause charges within the conductor to move until they reach a state of equilibrium. These moved charges will cancel out the internal electric fields, resulting in zero net electric field inside the conductor.
  • Zero electric field means zero force acting on free charges inside.
  • Hence, they do not move, confirming equilibrium.
  • The potential throughout remains the same because potential difference is caused by electric fields, which are absent inside.
This characteristic of conductors under electrostatic conditions ensures that the potential is uniform and the entire conductor behaves like a single equipotential surface.
Hollow Metal Sphere
A hollow metal sphere is a specific type of conductor. Its hollow interior doesn't affect its external properties when charged. Being a perfect conductor, a charged hollow metal sphere displays uniform potential across both the outer surface and the inner cavity.
Due to its conducting nature:
  • The charges distribute themselves evenly on the outer surface.
  • The electric potential is equal throughout the sphere — so the potential inside the cavity, including its center, matches the potential on the outer surface.
The hollow part of the sphere means its inside is devoid of any charges. Yet the principles of electrostatics ensure that regardless of the presence of charge internally, the entire conductor surface remains at an equal potential.
In the example provided, the sphere's potential at its surface, as well as anywhere inside, is given as 10 V. Regardless of where you are within the sphere — at the center or near the walls — the potential stays constant.
Electric Field Inside Conductor
Inside a conductor at electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field is not simply small; it is zero. This is a significant behavior that determines several neat properties of charged conductors. With no electric field inside, there is no force acting on any charge carriers, and thus no movement of charges occurs within the conductor.
This absence of an internal electric field ensures that any charge resides entirely on the surface of the conductor. This applies equally to charged hollow spheres:
  • Outside the sphere, the electric field behaves as it would for a point charge at the center — decreasing with distance from the surface.
  • Inside, the sphere acts like an electrostatics safe zone — no net electric field and no varying electric potential.
Understanding this aspect is crucial, as it underlies the fact that the electric potential inside a hollow metal sphere is uniform and matches the potential at the surface. Thus, if the surface is at 10 V, then throughout — including the center — the potential remains 10 V.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

There are two thin wire rings, each of radius \(R\), whose axes coincide. The charges on the rings are \(q\) and \(-q\). Evaluate the potential difference between the centers of the rings separated by a distance \(a\). a. \(\frac{q}{\pi \varepsilon_{0}}\left[\frac{1}{R}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{R^{2}+a^{2}}}\right]\) b. \(\frac{q}{2 \pi \varepsilon_{0}}\left[\frac{1}{R}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{R^{2}+a^{2}}}\right]\) c. \(\frac{q}{2 \pi \varepsilon_{0}}\left[\frac{1}{R}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{R^{2}+a^{2}}}\right]\) d. \(\frac{2 q}{\pi \varepsilon_{0}}\left[\frac{1}{R}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{R^{2}+a^{2}}}\right]\)

A particle of mass \(m\) carrying charge ' \(q^{\prime}\) is projected with velocity ' \(v^{\prime}\) from point ' \(P\) ' towards an infinite line of charge from a distance ' \(a\) '. Its speed reduces to zero momentarily at point \(Q\) which is at a distance \(a / 2\) from the line of charge. If anóther particle with mass \(m\) and charge \(-q^{\prime}\) is projected with the same velocity ' \(v^{\prime}\) from \(P\) towards the line of charge, what will be its speed at \(Q\) ? a. \(\sqrt{2} v\) b. \(\sqrt{3} v\) c. \(\frac{v}{\sqrt{2}}\) d. \(\frac{v}{\sqrt{3}}\)

If a conductor is electrically neutral, then \(\cdots \ldots\) a. net charge on it should be zero b. potential on it should be zero c. both charge and potential should be zero d. none of them may not be zero

The electric potential decreases uniformly from \(120 \mathrm{~V}\) to \(80 \mathrm{~V}\) as one moves on the \(X\) -axis from \(x=-1 \mathrm{~cm}\) to \(x=\) \(+1 \mathrm{~cm}\). The electric field at the origin a. must be equal to \(20 \mathrm{~V} \mathrm{~cm}^{-1}\) b. must be equal to \(20 \mathrm{Vm}^{-1}\) c. may be greater than \(20 \mathrm{~V} \mathrm{~cm}^{-1}\) d. may be less than \(20 \mathrm{Vcm}^{-1}\)

Three charges \(2 q,-q\) and \(-q\) are iocated at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. At the center of the triangle a. the field is zero but potential is non-zero b. the field is non-zero but potential is zero c. both field and potential are zero d. both field and potential are non-zero

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