The drawings show (in cross section) two solid spheres and two spherical shells.

Question

The drawings show (in cross section) two solid spheres and two spherical shells. Each object is made from copper and has a net charge, as the plus and minus signs indicate. Which drawing correctly shows where the charges reside when they are in equilibrium?
a) shows a lot of negative signs in the interior of circle
b) shows a lot of positive signs in the interior of circle
c) shows a hollowed out "hole" in the interior of the circle, with negative signs surrounding the opening.
d) shows a hollowed out "hole" in the interior of the circle, with positive signs surrounding the exterior edge

Explanation / Answer

The drawings show (in cross section) two solid spheres and two spherical shells. Each object is made from copper and has a net charge, as the plus and minus signs indicate. Which drawing correctly shows where the charges reside when they are in equilibrium?
a) shows a lot of negative signs in the interior of circle
b) shows a lot of positive signs in the interior of circle
c) shows a hollowed out "hole" in the interior of the circle, with negative signs surrounding the opening.
d) shows a hollowed out "hole" in the interior of the circle, with positive signs surrounding the exterior edge

Charges always reside on the surface of a conductor. If they were inside, and electric field would exist inside and would act to move them to the surface, so that is a minimum energy configuration.

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