Re: Surface charge distribution

[SSHS KPHOX <kphox@MAIL.CCSD.K12.CO.US>]

PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu writes:
> 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?

My reaction is that it will be symmetrical on the outside, but not on the
inside. The field of the inner charge does not penetrate the conducting
shell in the static condition you seek. So the lowest energy state on the
outer shell should be symmetrical.

Ken Fox