Two concentric conducting spherical shells have radii r and R ( r) and charges q and Q, respectively. The electric potential just outside the surface of the shell of smaller radius is proportional to

Question

Two concentric conducting spherical shells have radii r and R (> r) and charges q and Q, respectively. The electric potential just outside the surface of the shell of smaller radius is proportional to

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric potential just outside the surface of the smaller shell is the sum of the potentials due to both shells. The potential due to a shell at a point outside it is given by kQ/r, where Q is the charge on the shell and r is the distance from the center of the shell to the point. Thus, the potential just outside the smaller shell is kq/r (from the smaller shell itself) plus kQ/R (from the larger shell), which simplifies to a form proportional to q/r + Q/R.

Two Concentric Conducting Spherical Shells Have Radii R and R