Sphere C (radius 4.0 cm) and Sphere D (radius 8.0 cm) are located very far from each other
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Sphere C (radius 4.0 cm) and Sphere D (radius 8.0 cm) are located very far from each other. Sphere D is permanently connected to the positive terminal of an ideal 12 V battery whose negative terminal is grounded (0 V). Sphere C is initially uncharged and isolated. The two spheres are briefly connected by a conducting wire; afterward the wire is removed while Sphere D remains connected to the battery.
(a) Determine the electric potential of Sphere C immediately after it has been disconnected from Sphere D.
(b) Calculate the algebraic amount of charge transferred between the battery and the two-sphere system during the brief connection. State clearly whether the battery supplied or absorbed this charge.
(c) After the wire is removed, what is the electric potential difference between Sphere C and Sphere D? Explain your reasoning without additional calculation.
(d) Suppose the battery connection to Sphere D is now removed, leaving both spheres isolated with the charges they obtained in parts (a)–(b). If the two spheres were reconnected by a wire at this stage, predict whether any further charge would flow. Justify your prediction.