Re: Surface charge distribution

[Bernard Cleyet <anngeorg@PACBELL.NET>]

A number of elementary? texts explain (prove?) this. It is rather easy, for
a spherical shell, using symmetry arguments.  For example see:  Feynman et
al.  II § 5;  Eisberg and Lerner (combined 1981)    p.932 ff.;   Halliday
and Resnic (extended 3rd Ed.)  Ch. 23;  Hewett 6th Ed., p. 384 ff.;  Sears
and Zemansky (complete 2nd ed.) Ch. 25-5.

p.s. For a sphere they are symmetric, otherwise no.  doesn't matter where
the inside charge is.

Bob LaMontagne wrote:

> "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