7. Conductors properties University K. M.
of Ouargla
Physics tutorial problem set # 07
Session of the week of 06 April 2025
Exercise 1 1. Calculate the potential V of this sphere;
Consider two conducting spheres with respective radii R1 2. Derive the expression for the capacitance of this conduc-
and R2 connected by a conductive wire. The two spheres tor;
carry charges with surface charge densities σ1 and σ2 , re-
3. What is the maximum charge this sphere can carry,
spectively.
knowing that the electric field in air cannot exceed 3000
1. Show that the potential V of a conducting sphere with kV /m.
radius R and charge Q is given by:
Exercise 5
Q
V =
4πε0 R Let there be a conducting sphere with radius R, carrying a
s
charge Q.
on
2. Then, show that for the two spheres, we have: 1. Calculate its internal energy.
25 rb
σ1 R2
02 y gla
20 oca
= 2. If this sphere is discharged by connecting it to the
σ2 R1 earth via a conductive wire, what happens to the previously
- 2 f H ar
stored energy?
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Exercise 2
ls n o Ou 3. This sphere was charged using a constant emf generator
V . What is the energy supplied by the generator? Does it
Let there be a spherical conductor S1 with radius R1 and appear as potential energy? Explain.
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center O1 connected to the earth; another spherical con-
ductor S2 with radius R2 and center O2 is brought close
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Exercise 6
to this conductor such that the distance between the two
conductors is d and d >> R1 and d >> R2 .
2 ro K.
(to be solved in lecture)
A conducting sphere (A) is held at a constant potential rel-
1. Calculate the charge Q1 on sphere S1 knowing that the
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ative to the ground by means of a generator (figure below).
charge on sphere S2 is Q2 .
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2. What happens to the charge on each of these two con-
Ph en ve
ductors if they are connected by a conductive wire? The
conductor S1 is still connected to the earth.
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Exercise 3
(to be solved in tutorial)
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A conducting sphere with radius R1 = 15 cm is held at a
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potential of V = 1000 V.
1. What must be assumed in order to admit that the charge
1. Express and then calculate the capacitance of this sphere; is uniformly distributed over the sphere? Represent this
charge on the figure.
2. What is the charge carried by this sphere;
2. A neutral and isolated conductor (B) is brought close
3. What is the surface charge density on this sphere; to conductor (A). Describe qualitatively what happens on
(A), on (B), and in the generator during the approach of
4. Calculate the magnitude of the electric field in the im- (B). Represent the charge distributions on (A) and (B) for
mediate vicinity of this conductor. different distances: infinity, D, and d (figure below).
5. This sphere is connected, via a long conductor, to a sec-
ond initially neutral conducting sphere with radius R2 = 8
cm. What is the charge carried by each of the two spheres
when electrostatic equilibrium is reached?
Exercise 4
A conducting sphere with radius R = 50 cm is isolated and
carries a charge of Q = 5 × 10−6 C.
1
3. The two conductors being stationary and at a distance D 2. Calculate the charge Q1 on (A) in the case of (figure 5)
from each other, conductor (B) is connected to the ground and determine, in terms of Q1 , the charges Q2 and Q3 on
via a conductive wire (figure below). Describe what hap- the two faces of (B).
pens. Represent the new charge distributions after the con-
nection.
4. Compare the charges carried by (A) in the three cases
3. Calculate the charge Q′1 on (A) in the case of (figure be-
s
(1, 2, and 3). Conclusion?
on
low) where (B) is connected to the ground via a conductive
wire. Numerically compare Q0 , Q1 , and Q′1 , then conclude.
25 rb
Exercise 7
02 y gla
20 oca
(to be solved in tutorial)
- 2 f H ar
4/ dr
ls n o Ou
We now propose to revisit the previous problem in a par-
ticular case that allows us, after calculations, to reach a
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quantitative conclusion. Consider the following:
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- (A) a conducting sphere with radius R1 , held at potential
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VA ;
- (B) a spherical shell with inner and outer radii R2 and
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R3 , concentric with sphere (A). We are given: V = 1000 V ;
R1 = 10 cm; R2 = 11 cm; R3 = 20 cm.
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1. Calculate the charge Q0 on (A) in the case of (figure
below).
Ph en ve
4. On which parameter should one act, and in what di-
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rection, to increase Q′ 1 ? With VA and R1 remaining the
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same.
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