Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics Francis Jeanson
Classe Préparatoire en Sciences et Techniques 1ère Année Year 2024/2025
Tutorial sheet n°02
Conductors
Exercise 01 :
Qualitatively describe what happens on conductors (A) and (B) and in
Part one
the generator during the rapprochement. Qualitatively represent the
Let us take a conductive sphere (A) brought to a constant potential
charge distributions on (A) and (B):
relative to the ground, via a generator (figure below)
a) for a given distance d.
b) for an infinite distance.
3. The two previous conductors, being immobile and distant from each
other by a length d, we connect (B) to the ground by means of a
conductive wire (see figure below).
1. What must be assumed to admit that the charge is uniformly
distributed on the sphere? Qualitatively represent the distribution
of the electric charge on (A).
2. We approach (A) a neutral and insulated conductor (B) (figure
below)
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Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics Francis Jeanson
Classe Préparatoire en Sciences et Techniques 1ère Année Year 2024/2025
The aim of this second part is to calculate the charge
a) Qualitatively describe what happens. 𝑄1 of (𝐴) in the case of the figure below and to determine, as a function
of 𝑄1 , the charges 𝑄2 and 𝑄3 carried by the two surfaces of (𝐵).
b) Represent the new charge distributions after connecting (B) to the
In a first step, express as a function of 𝑄1 the electric fields 𝐸⃗𝑒 and
ground.
𝐸⃗𝑖 that are created in the regions : 𝑟 > 𝑅3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅1 < 𝑟 < 𝑅2 ,
4. Compare the electric charges carried by (A) in the cases of figures a,
b and c. Conclusion? respectively. By calculating the circulation of both 𝐸⃗𝑒 and 𝐸⃗𝑖 between
the limits where they are defined, deduce 𝑄1 .
Part two
We now propose to revisit the previous problem in a specific case that
allows for the evaluation of charges and, therefore, a quantitative
conclusion.
- (A) is a conducting sphere of radius R1, brought to a potential VA.
- (B) is a hollow sphere, initially neutral, of inner radius R2 and outer
radius R3, concentric with the sphere (A).
We are given:
𝑉𝐴 = −1000𝑉 ; 𝑅1 = 10 𝑐𝑚; 𝑅2 = 11 𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 = 20 𝑐𝑚.
1. Calculate the charge Q0 of (A) in the case of (figure below).
Note that 𝑉2 (𝑟 = 𝑅2 ) = 𝑉3 (𝑟 = 𝑅3 ) = 𝑉𝐵 and take equal to zero the
potential at infinity.
2. Calculate the charge 𝑄1′ carried by (𝐴) in the case of the figure
below where B is linked to the ground by a conductive wire.
𝑽𝑨
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Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics Francis Jeanson
Classe Préparatoire en Sciences et Techniques 1ère Année Year 2024/2025
3. What are the charges carried by the two faces of the metal sheet?
4. What is the resultant electrostatic force acting on 𝑀 ?
4. a) Compare 𝑄0 , 𝑄1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄1′ . Conclude. 5. Calculate the capacitance C of the capacitor equivalent to the whole.
b) On which parameter and in which direction should we play to Deduce the new potential difference. 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 between armatures 𝐴
and 𝐵.
increase 𝑄1′ , if we assume that 𝑉𝐴 and 𝑅1 keep the same values.
5. Qualitatively describe what would happen if, based on the case of
the last figure, we connected (A) and (B) with a conducting wire.
Exercise 02 :
Two metallic disks 𝐴 and 𝐵 of radius rayon 𝑅 = 0,3𝑚, with distance
𝑑 = 2,5𝑚𝑚, constitue the the armatures of a plane capacitor (Fig. a).
1. What are the capacitance 𝐶 and the charge 𝑄 of this capacitor when
it is subject to a potential difference 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵
2. The capacitor is now insulated. A circular metal sheet Minitially
neutral, of the same radius 𝑅 = 0,3𝑚 and of thickness 𝑒 = 1𝑚𝑚 is
introduced into the capacitor, parallel to armatures, to a distance 𝑑1 of
the du disk 𝐴 (Fig. b).
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