The sketch shows cross sections of equipotential surfaces be

The sketch shows cross sections of equipotential surfaces between two charged conductors that are shown in solid black. What is the potential difference between points B and E? ___ At which of the labeled points will the electric field have the greatest magnitude?___ What is the electric field at points A (magnitude and direction)?___ The sketch on the back of this page shows cross sections of two conducting spherical shells.(a = 5.0 cm, b = 0.50 m, and v = 100 V) Using dashed curves, draw representative equipotentials around and between the spheres. Using solid curves and arrows draw the electric field lines. What is the charge on the left sphere? ___ What is the potential at point p midway between the two spheres? ___

Solution

1.

a. the potential difference between B and E is

         VBE = VB-VE = 10-(-40 V) = 50 V

b.

from the sbove figure, it is clear that the point I is nearest to the conductor.

so the electric field is greatest at point I. This is because the field is inversely proportional to distance from the charge or charged conductor.

c.

Electric field at point A is

   E_A = V_AB/d = [30-10] / 0.2 m = 100 V/m