Two conducting spheres, one having twice the diameter of the other, are separated by a distance that is large compared to their diameters. The smaller sphere has charge q and the larger sphere is uncharged. If the spheres are connected by a long, thin wire, then after a sufficiently long time:

a. The two spheres are at the same potential.

b. The electric field at the surface of the two spheres has the same magnitude.

c. The two spheres have the same charge.

d. The larger sphere is at twice the potential of the smaller sphere.

e. The smaller sphere is at twice the potential of the larger sphere.

Question

Physics

Larry Horton

5 December, 04:23

Two conducting spheres, one having twice the diameter of the other, are separated by a distance that is large compared to their diameters. The smaller sphere has charge q and the larger sphere is uncharged. If the spheres are connected by a long, thin wire, then after a sufficiently long time:

a. The two spheres are at the same potential.

b. The electric field at the surface of the two spheres has the same magnitude.

c. The two spheres have the same charge.

d. The larger sphere is at twice the potential of the smaller sphere.

e. The smaller sphere is at twice the potential of the larger sphere.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Ray Shelton · Answer 1

Answer: Option (a) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When these two conducting spheres are connected together through a thin wire then charge from the smaller sphere will travel through the wire. And, this charge will continue to travel towards the neutral sphere until the charge on both the spheres will become equal to each other.

For example, charge on small sphere is 5 C then this charge will continue to travel towards the neutral sphere until its charge also becomes equal to 5 C.

Hence, then their potential will also become equal.

Thus, we can conclude that the spheres are connected by a long, thin wire, then after a sufficiently long time the two spheres are at the same potential.