Re: Electric Force and Shells

[kowalskil <kowalskil@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

The charge Q in center of a metallic shell will produce the same
field outside the shell as if it would without the shell being present.
Yes, it will act on the charge q outside, but not directly. It will
polarize the shell creating a layer of Q evenly distributed on the
outer surface. The layer will act on q in the same way the point
charge Q would. Draw a picture with field lines to visualize this.
Ludwik Kowalski

Tina Fanetti wrote:

> I never understood this problem...
>
> Okay you have a point charge Q at the center in a spherical conductin=
> g shell.  There is a point charge q outside the shell. =20
>
> Does q experience a force?  Does Q experience a force? =20
>
> I want to say yes they experience the same force but then there is th=
> at shell.  I don't know what to do with it...
>
> Would the shell pickup the charge Q and then the force would between =
> the shell and q?  that doesn't make sense though.
>
> Maybe they don't experience a force?  But why wouldnt they? =20
>
> COnfused
> Tina
>
> Tina Fanetti
> Physics Instructor
> Western Iowa Technical Community College
> 4647 Stone Ave
> Sioux City IA 51102
> 712-274-8733 ext 1429