A solid aluminum sphere and an identically sized solid glass sphere are each given a…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
A solid aluminum sphere and an identically sized solid glass sphere are each given a net excess charge of +8μC. After charging, both spheres are placed on separate insulating stands far from other objects.
(1) Describe the final distribution of the excess charge on (i) the aluminum sphere and (ii) the glass sphere. Explain the physical basis for any differences you identify.
(2) Each sphere is sliced exactly in half through its center, and the two halves are separated so that they are several sphere-diameters apart but do not touch any other object. For each material, state whether the total charge on each half–sphere changes during the cutting and separation process, and describe how that charge is arranged on the surfaces after separation. Justify your answers.
(3) Immediately outside the surface of each intact, charged sphere, a small test charge is brought to rest. Compare and contrast the direction and relative magnitude of the electric field experienced by the test charge for the aluminum sphere versus the glass sphere. Support your comparison with clear reasoning based on your answers to parts (a) and (b).