Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0133942651
ISBN 13: 978-0-13394-265-1

Chapter 26 - Potential and Field - Stop to Think 26.3 - Page 721: 1

Answer

Answer: B is correct!

Work Step by Step

Three metal spheres are conductors, electric fields strength at all interior points is zero. When charged, all excess charges move to the surface. For Voltage: When they are wired together, think of them as a single entity. By definition, they have the same potential (or a single potential). For electric field strength: First, charges on the surface of a sphere can be seen as a single source charge at the center of that sphere (using Gaussian surface). By definition, the closer to the source charge the stronger the field strength. Sphere 1 has its surface closest to the center so the electric field strength on its surface must be the greatest, then sphere 2 and then 3.
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