Math Problem Statement

A sphere of radius R = 0.295 m and uniform charge density 151 nC/m^3 lies at the center of a spherical, conducting shell of inner and outer radii 3.50R and 4.00R respectively. The conducting shell carries a total charge of Q = 66.7 nC. Determine the magnitude E(r) of the electric field at the given radial distances r from the center of the charge distribution: E(0.260R), E(3.90R), E(1.75R), E(7.30R)

Solution

To solve for the electric field E(r)E(r) at different radial distances rr from the center of a sphere with a uniform charge distribution and a conducting shell, we will use Gauss's Law. Gauss's Law states:

EdA=Qencϵ0\oint \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{A} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\epsilon_0}

where QencQ_{\text{enc}} is the charge enclosed by a Gaussian surface, ϵ0\epsilon_0 is the permittivity of free space (ϵ0=8.854×1012C2/Nm2\epsilon_0 = 8.854 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}^2/\text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2), and E\mathbf{E} is the electric field.

Given:

  • Radius of the sphere: R=0.295mR = 0.295 \, \text{m}
  • Charge density of the sphere: ρ=151nC/m3=151×109C/m3\rho = 151 \, \text{nC/m}^3 = 151 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C/m}^3
  • Inner radius of the conducting shell: rinner=3.50R=3.50×0.295mr_{\text{inner}} = 3.50R = 3.50 \times 0.295 \, \text{m}
  • Outer radius of the conducting shell: router=4.00R=4.00×0.295mr_{\text{outer}} = 4.00R = 4.00 \times 0.295 \, \text{m}
  • Total charge on the shell: Qshell=66.7nC=66.7×109CQ_{\text{shell}} = 66.7 \, \text{nC} = 66.7 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C}

We will calculate the electric field at each radial distance rr using the following steps:

1. Inside the Sphere (r=0.260R)(r = 0.260R)

For r<Rr < R, the electric field is given by:

E(r)=14πϵ0Qenc(r)r2E(r) = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \cdot \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}(r)}{r^2}

where Qenc(r)Q_{\text{enc}}(r) is the charge enclosed within radius rr, given by:

Qenc(r)=ρ43πr3Q_{\text{enc}}(r) = \rho \cdot \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3

2. Inside the Conducting Shell (r=1.75R)(r = 1.75R)

For R<r<rinnerR < r < r_{\text{inner}}, the electric field will only depend on the total charge inside the inner surface of the conducting shell, which is the charge of the sphere.

E(r)=14πϵ0Qspherer2E(r) = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \cdot \frac{Q_{\text{sphere}}}{r^2}

where Qsphere=ρ43πR3Q_{\text{sphere}} = \rho \cdot \frac{4}{3} \pi R^3 is the total charge on the sphere.

3. Inside the Conducting Shell (r=3.90R)(r = 3.90R)

For rinner<r<routerr_{\text{inner}} < r < r_{\text{outer}}, the electric field inside the conducting material of the shell is zero:

E(r)=0E(r) = 0

4. Outside the Conducting Shell (r=7.30R)(r = 7.30R)

For r>routerr > r_{\text{outer}}, the electric field will depend on the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface, which includes both the charge on the sphere and the charge on the shell.

E(r)=14πϵ0Qtotalr2E(r) = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \cdot \frac{Q_{\text{total}}}{r^2}

where Qtotal=Qsphere+QshellQ_{\text{total}} = Q_{\text{sphere}} + Q_{\text{shell}}.

Let me calculate the electric field at each point.The electric field at the given radial distances is as follows:

  1. E(0.260R)=436.0N/CE(0.260R) = 436.0 \, \text{N/C} (inside the sphere)
  2. E(1.75R)=547.6N/CE(1.75R) = 547.6 \, \text{N/C} (outside the sphere but inside the shell)
  3. E(3.90R)=0N/CE(3.90R) = 0 \, \text{N/C} (inside the conducting shell, the electric field is zero)
  4. E(7.30R)=160.7N/CE(7.30R) = 160.7 \, \text{N/C} (outside the conducting shell)

Would you like more details or clarifications?

Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How would the electric field change if the charge density of the sphere increased?
  2. What is the electric potential at the same radial distances?
  3. How does the presence of the conducting shell affect the electric field inside the cavity?
  4. What happens to the electric field if the conducting shell is removed?
  5. How does Gauss’s Law apply to a spherical distribution of charge in a non-conducting shell?

Tip: When solving problems involving spherical symmetry, always consider using a Gaussian surface that simplifies calculations based on the charge distribution inside and outside.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Electrostatics
Gauss's Law
Electric Field in Conducting Shells

Formulas

Gauss's Law: ∮ E · dA = Q_enc/ε₀
Electric field inside a sphere: E(r) = (1 / 4πε₀) · (Q_enc(r) / r²)
Charge enclosed by a sphere: Q_enc(r) = ρ · (4/3)πr³
Total charge on a shell: Q_total = Q_sphere + Q_shell

Theorems

Gauss's Law
Coulomb's Law

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate (Physics)