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  • A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q.

    (a) A charge q is placed at the centre of the shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell?

    (b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge) zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but has any irregular shape? Explain.

A spherical conducting shell of inner ra | Class 12 Physics Chapter Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance, Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance NCERT Solutions

Q15.

A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q.

(a) A charge q is placed at the centre of the shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell?

(b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge) zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but has any irregular shape? Explain.

(a) Charge placed at the centre of a shell is +q. Hence, a charge of magnitude - q will be induced to the inner surface of the shell. Therefore, total charge on the inner surface of the shell is - q.

Surface charge density at the inner surface of the shell is given by the relation,

A charge of +q is induced on the outer surface of the shell. A charge of magnitude Q is placed on the outer surface of the shell. Therefore, total charge on the outer surface of the shell is Q + q. Surface charge density at the outer surface of the shell,

(b) Yes

The electric field intensity inside a cavity is zero, even if the shell is not spherical and has any irregular shape. Take a closed loop such that a part of it is inside the cavity along a field line while the rest is inside the conductor. Net work done by the field in carrying a test charge over a closed loop is zero because the field inside the conductor is zero. Hence, electric field is zero, whatever is the shape.

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Important Questions & Answers

Why is this answer important for exams?

This question is important because it tests key concepts from the NCERT syllabus and is frequently asked in CBSE exams.

Which NCERT concept is used in this question?

This question is based on core NCERT concepts explained in the chapter and should be revised thoroughly before exams.

What is the correct answer to: A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q. (a) A charge q is placed at the centre of the shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell? (b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge) zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but has any irregular shape? Explain.?

(a) Charge placed at the centre of a shell is +q. Hence, a charge of magnitude - q will be induced to the inner surface of the shell. Therefore, total charge on the inner surface of the shell is - q.

Surface charge de...

How do you solve A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q. (a) A charge q is placed at the centre of the shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell? (b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge) zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but has any irregular shape? Explain. step by step?

Step-by-step explanation:
• (a) Charge placed at the centre of a shell is +q
• Hence, a charge of magnitude - q will be induced to the inner surface of the shell
• Therefore, total charge on the inner surface of the shell is - q

What common mistakes should be avoided in this question?

Students often lose marks by skipping steps, writing incomplete explanations, or misunderstanding keywords used in the question.

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Student Discussion

Nasif
Class · · , · May 10, 2019
Why is Q charge not indused
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Deepshikha
Class · · , · May 05, 2019
Thanks 😇😇😇
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Saranya
Class · · , · Mar 17, 2019
How to prepare for JEE
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