A spherical metal shell $A$ of radius $R_A$ and a solid metal sphere $B$ of radius $R_B < \left(R_A\right)$…

A spherical metal shell $A$ of radius $R_A$ and a solid metal sphere $B$ of radius $R_B < \left(R_A\right)$ are kept far apart and each is given charge $+Q$. Now, they are connected by a thin metal wire. Then
  1. $E_A^{\text {inside }}=0$
  2. $Q_A>Q_B$
  3. $\frac{\sigma_{\mathrm{A}}}{\sigma_B}=\frac{R_B}{R_A}$
  4. $E_A^{\text {on surface }} < E_B^{\text {on surface }}$

Solution

Inside a conducting shell, electric field is always zero. Therefore, option (a) is correct. When the two are connected, their potentials become the same. $ \begin{array}{ll} \therefore & V_A=V_B \\ \text { or } & \frac{Q_A}{R_A}=\frac{Q_B}{R_B} \quad\left(\because V=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{R}\right) \end{array} $ Since, $R_A>R_B$ $ \therefore \quad Q_A>Q_B $ $\therefore$ Option (b) is correct. Potential is also equal to, $ \begin{array}{rlrl} V & =\frac{\sigma R}{\varepsilon_0} \\ V_A & =V_B \\ \therefore \quad \sigma_A R_A & =\sigma_B R_B \\ \text { or } \quad \sigma_B & \frac{\sigma_A}{\sigma_B} & =\frac{R_B}{R_A} \end{array} $ $\therefore$ Option (c) is correct. Electric field on surface, $ E=\frac{\sigma}{E_0} \text { or } E \propto \sigma $ or $\quad \sigma_A < \sigma_B$ Since, $\quad \sigma_A < \sigma_B$ $\therefore \quad E_A < E_B$ $\therefore$ Option (d) is also correct. $\therefore$ Correct options are (a), (b), (c) and (d). Analysis of Question (i) Question is simple. (ii) $E=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{R^2}=\frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}$ (On surface) As, $\sigma=$ surface charge density $ =\frac{Q}{4 \pi R^2} $ (iii) $V=\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{R}=\frac{\sigma R}{\varepsilon_0}$

Asked in: JEE Advanced 2011 (Paper 1)

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