1. A conducting spherical shell with inner radius a and outer radius b has a positive point charge Q located at its center. The total charge on the shell is -3 Q, and it is insulated from its surroundings. Derive expressions for the electric field magnitude E in terms of the distance from the center r for the regions r<a, a<r<b, and r>b.
Bold type denotes vector quantities a b +Q
-3Q

2. Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9

3. Which of the following physics principles should one use to solve this problem?
Ampere’s Law
Faraday’s Law of Induction
Gauss’s Law
Superposition of Electric Fields
A : I
B : II & IV
C : III
D : III & IV

4. This law deals with magnetic fields produced by electric current.
Choice: A
Incorrect
This law deals with magnetic fields produced by electric current.

5. Choice: B
Incorrect
Faraday’s law deals with the time rate of change of magnetic flux, so this is not applicable to our situation. On the other hand, the principle of superposition of electric fields is very helpful here. Considering the contributions to the electric field from each charge will make this task easier to evaluate.

6. Choice: C
Incorrect
We can use this law to solve for E as we exploit symmetry, but another physics principle will also be helpful.

7. Choice: D Correct
Gauss’s law and the principle of superposition of electric fields are very helpful here. Considering the contributions to the electric field from the charge in each region will make this task easier to evaluate.

8. 2. Which statement correctly describes Gauss’s Law?
A : The total electric field through a closed surface is equal to the net charge inside the surface.
B : The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge inside the surface divided by the area.
C : The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge inside the surface divided by o (permittivity of free space).

9. Choice: A
Incorrect
Gauss’s Law relates the electric flux through a surface to the total charge enclosed by the surface.

10. Choice: B
Incorrect
According to Gauss’s Law, the total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge inside the surface divided by o , not by the area.

11. Choice: C
Correct
In mathematical form, Gauss’s Law is expressed as:

12. 3. What is a convenient Gaussian surface for this system?
A: circle
B: cube
C: sphere

13. The system is three dimensional.
Choice: A
Incorrect
The system is three dimensional.

14. Choice: B
Incorrect
The magnitude of the electric field is not the same at all points on a cubical surface.

15. This is a good choice, because the system shows spherical symmetry.
Choice: C
Correct
This is a good choice, because the system shows spherical symmetry.

16. Please get out a piece of scratch paper and sketch the charge configuration of the situation described in the problem statement. For now, only draw the arrangement due to the charge +Q inside the cavity. Draw your Gaussian surface with a radius r<a.

17. Example: Your sketch should look something like this:
2. The negative charge is drawn to the inner surface and a positive charge remains on the outer surface of the conducting shell. + +Q + + - - - a + - - + +Q r
1. A negative charge of magnitude -Q is induced uniformly around the inner surface of the cavity. - + - -Q + - - + +
Gaussian surface

18. A: I only B: II only C: III only D: I and II only E: I and III only
4. For r<a, as depicted in our sketch, the field strength is equal in magnitude everywhere on the surface and is radially outward in direction. Choose all of the following that are correct expressions for the total flux in this case I) II) III)
A: I only
B: II only
C: III only
D: I and II only
E: I and III only

19. This is a correct expression, but it is not the only one.
Choice: A
Incorrect
This is a correct expression, but it is not the only one.

20. This is a correct expression, but it is not the only one.
Choice: B
Incorrect
This is a correct expression, but it is not the only one.

21. Check the units. This is an expression for electric field.
Choice: C
Incorrect
Check the units. This is an expression for electric field.

22. Both these expressions are correct.
Choice: D
Correct
Both these expressions are correct.
Mathematical expression of Gauss’s Law:
Since the electric field is perpendicular to the infinitesimal area dA, the magnitude of the electric field E can be pulled out of the integral.
The total charge enclosed in our Gaussian surface is only +Q, therefore:

23. One of these expressions is not correct. Try Again.
Choice: E
Incorrect
One of these expressions is not correct. Try Again.

24. 5. Which one of the following expressions describes the electric field E in the region r<a?

25. The total charge enclosed in the Gaussian sphere is +Q.
Choice: A
Incorrect
The total charge enclosed in the Gaussian sphere is +Q.

26. Choice: B Correct From the previous question we have:
Simple algebra shows that:

27. Choice: C
Incorrect
Since our Gaussian surface has a radius r less than a, the only charge that is enclosed is the point charge +Q.

28. A: uniform but non-zero B: zero C: non-uniform
6. For electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside the conductor (metal) is which of the following?
A: uniform but non-zero
B: zero
C: non-uniform

29. This is in violation of the equilibrium condition.
Choice: A
Incorrect
This is in violation of the equilibrium condition.

30. This implies equilibrium.
Choice: B
Correct
This implies equilibrium.

31. The charges are uniformly distributed.
Choice: C
Incorrect
The charges are uniformly distributed.

32. Please make another sketch of the charge configuration of the spherical shell, this time only consider the -3Q charge that is placed on the outer surface of the conductor.

33. Example
The charge -3Q distributes uniformly on the surface of the conductor, making the field everywhere inside of the conductor equal to zero. - -
-3Q -
Notice that there is no charge enclosed if the gaussian surface is placed anywhere inside of the surface of the conductor. - - - - - - -

34. Considering a superposition of the electric fields produced by the point charge +Q and the surface charge -3Q will help us find expressions for the electric field in the regions a<r<b and r>b.
Sketch the charge configuration of the spherical shell considering all sources of electric field (combine your two previous drawings).

35. Superposition of electric fields and charge summation+ + +Q - - -Q + + = - +Q - + - - + -
-3Q + - + - + - +Q -
The red arrows depict electric field lines. Notice that there are more field lines in the second drawing pointing inwards than there are in the first pointing outwards. - + - - -Q +Q - - - - - - - + - + - -

36. 7. Add a Gaussian surface to your drawing with a radius a<r<b
7. Add a Gaussian surface to your drawing with a radius a<r<b. What is the electric field in this region (inside of the conductor).
A: E=0
B: E=
C: E=

37. Choice: A
Correct
The electric field inside of a conductor is always equal to zero. a r b

38. Choice: B
Incorrect
Remember that the electric field inside of a conductor is always zero. Your Gaussian surface should enclose more than just the point charge +Q.

39. Choice: C
Correct
Remember that the electric field inside of a conductor is always zero. Your Gaussian surface should enclose more than just the induced charge -Q on the inside of the shell.

40. 8. What is the net charge enclosed by a Gaussian sphere in the r>b region?
A: +Q
B: -3Q
C: -Q
D: -2Q

41. Choice: A Incorrect Gaussian surface b r
The point charge in the center, the induced charges -Q and +Q on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell, and the -3Q spread around the outside of the shell are all enclosed by the Gaussian sphere. b r

42. Choice: B Incorrect Gaussian surface b r
The point charge in the center, the induced charges -Q and +Q on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell, and the -3Q spread around the outside of the shell are all enclosed by the Gaussian sphere. b r

43. Choice: C Incorrect Gaussian surface b r
The point charge in the center, the induced charges -Q and +Q on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell, and the -3Q spread around the outside of the shell are all enclosed by the Gaussian sphere. b r

44. Choice: D Correct Gaussian surface b r
The point charge in the center, the induced charges -Q and +Q on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell, and the -3Q spread around the outside of the shell are all enclosed by the Gaussian sphere. b r

45. 9. Which one of the following is the expression for the electric field E in the region r>b?
A: (radially outward)
B: (radially outward)
C: (radially inward)
D: (radially inward)

46. Choice: A
Incorrect
The total enclosed charge is not +Q. Also, field lines from a negative source charge are directed inward. Please check your sketch and try again.

47. Field lines from a negative source charge are directed inward.
Choice: B
Incorrect
Field lines from a negative source charge are directed inward.

48. Field lines from a negative source charge are directed inward.
Choice: C
Correct
Reasoning:
Field lines from a negative source charge are directed inward.

49. This is the total flux through the Gaussian sphere.
Choice: D
Incorrect
This is the total flux through the Gaussian sphere.