Question

A point charge +Q is at the center of a spherical conducting shell of inner radius R1 and of outer radius R2 as shown in the figure. The total charge on the shell is 5Q. What is the charge on the outer surface of the shell?
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choices are:
+6Q.
+5Q.
0.
-Q.

will rate lifesaver for steps, and explanations. I am struggling with chapter 22

Answer 1

solution:
whenever there is a net nonzero charge ,the individual charges will try to get as far away from each other as possible .Hence charge will reside either on the inside surface or on the outside surface. Because the electric field in the conductor is zero.
In this exercise ,with +Q at the centre there must be -Q on the inner surface and electric field E=0 in the inner shell.
The total charge resides on outer surface only that is +5Q
now the choice is +5Q