A charge q is distributed uniformly throughout a spherical volume of radius R. Let V=0at infinity.What are

(a) V at radial distancer<R and

(b) the potential difference between points atr=R and the point at r=0?

Short Answer

Expert verified
  1. The potential at the point kept at a distance r from the center isV=q8πε0R3(3R2r2) .
  2. The potential difference is V=q8πε0R.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1: Given data:

The electric potential at infinity, V=0.

02

Determining the concept

After reading the question, Charge on sphere of radiusris determined by using total charge q. By using Gauss theorem, field on this sphere is determined and by integrating in proper limits, potential atris determined.

Gauss Lawstates that the total electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed divided by the permittivity.

Formula:

The electric potential is defined by,

V=14πεoqR

Where, V is potential energy, R is the distance between the point charges, q is charge.

03

(a) Determining thepotential at the point kept at a distance r  from the center

Charge of the sphere is q and radius is R . Potential at infinity is zero.

q'=q(43πR3)43πr3

Charge on the sphere of radiusis,

r=qr3R3

Let E be the field strength.

From Gauss theorem, electric flux is 1ε0 times charge enclosed.

4πr2(E)=1ε0qr3R34πε0r2(E)=qr3R3E=qr4πε0R3

Let Vsbe the potential difference on the surface of the sphere,

Vs=q4πε0R

Potential at the point kept at a distance r from the center is,

role="math" localid="1662625140265" V=VsRrEdr=q4πε0RRrqr4πε0R3dr

V=q4πε0Rq4πε0R3r2R22=q4πε01Rr22R3+12R=q8πε0R3(3R2r2)

Hence, the potential at the point kept at a distance r from the center is V=q8πε0R3(3R2r2).

04

(b) Determining the potential difference:

Electric potential when r=Ris,

VR=q8πε0R3(3R2r2)=2q8πε0R

Electric potential when r=0is,

" width="9">V0=q8πε0R3(3R2r2)=3q8πε0R

Potential difference is,

V=VRV0=2q8πε0R3q8πε0R=q8πε0R

Hence,the requitedpotential difference isV=q8πε0R.

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