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Re: Surface charge distribution



"Fakhruddin, Hasanbhai" wrote:

Hello Everyone!

Need help with the following conceptual problem:

A conducting shell is initially neutral. A point charge +q is placed
OFF CENTER inside the cavity. Is the charge induced on its outer
surface symmetric or asymmetric? =20

Thanks,=20

The charges attracted to the inner wall produce a field that completely
cancels the field of the point charge. The resulting charges on the outer
surface will be symmetrically arranged because no force operates on them
from within. It's the field from these outside charges that is seen by
the outside world and this field acts like that of a point charge at the
center.

Bob at PC