A hollow conducting spherical shell of inner radius R_1 and outer radius R_2 carries a total charge +Q. What is the electric field at distance r from the center where R_1 < r < R_2 in electrostatic equilibrium?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 0
- Step 1: By Gauss's law, inside any conductor in electrostatic equilibrium, charges reside on surfaces and the interior electric field is strictly zero.
- Step 2: Inside the bulk material of the shell (R_1 < r < R_2), E = 0.
Answer
0.
Why not the others: k_e Q / r^2 is the field outside the shell (r > R_2); k_e Q / R_1^2 evaluates field at the inner boundary; non-zero field in conductor bulk violates electrostatic equilibrium.
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