Consider two isolated spherical conductors each having net charge Q. The spheres have radii a and b, where b > a. Which sphere has the higher potential?
1. the sphere of radius a
2. the sphere of radius b
3. They have the same potential

1. the sphere of the radius a

Explanation:

Because the charge distribution for each case is spherically symmetric, we can choose a spher- ical Gaussian surface of radius r , concentric with the sphere in question.

So E = k (Q /r 2) (for r ≥ R ) , where R is the radius of the sphere being considered, either a or b .

With the choice of potential at r = ∞ being zero, the electric potential at any distance r from the center of the sphere can be expressed as V = - integraldisplay r ∞ E dr = k /Q r

(for r ≥ R ) .

On the spheres of radii a and b , we have V a = k (Q/ a)and V b = k (Q/ b), respectively.

So Since b > a , the sphere of radius a will have the higher potential.

Also recall Because E = 0 inside a conductor, the potential

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