A charge is placed on a spherical conductor of radius r₁. This sphere is then connected to a distant sphere of radius r₂ (not equal to r₁) by a conducting wire. After the charges on the spheres are in equilibrium, A) the electric fields at the surfaces of the two spheres are equal. B) the amount of charge on each sphere is q/2. C) both spheres are at the same potential. D) the potentials are in the ratio . E) the potentials are in the ratio .

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the two spheres are connected by a conducting wire, the charges will redistribute until the potential is the same throughout both spheres. Therefore, both spheres will be at the same potential. Choice A is not necessarily true, as the electric field at the surface of each sphere will depend on the charge and radius of that sphere. Choice B is not true, since the amount of charge on each sphere will depend on their respective radii and the distance between them. Choice D and E may seem plausible, but they involve ratios of potentials that cannot be determined without knowing the actual potentials of the spheres. Therefore, the correct choice is C.

A Charge Is Placed on a Spherical Conductor of Radius