Question

Electric potential at the centre of a charged hollow spherical conductor is:

Answer 1

Hint: We know that electric potential or the electrostatic potential is the potential drop. We also know that charged conductors which can conduct the flow of electrons and hence conduct electricity, come in different shapes and sizes according to the need and nature of its use.


Complete step-by-step solution:
We know that to move an electron from one place to another in an electric field, we need to do work against the forces acting on the charge. We also know that the strength of the electric field is directly dependent on the electrostatic potential of the charge. This can also be expressed as, the electric field is the negative gradient of the electric potential at any given point.
We also know that the electrostatic potential of the charged particle depends on the amount of charge it carries or possesses and the relative position of other charged species with respect to the main charged particle.
Here, we have to find the electric potential at the centre of a charged hollow spherical conductor.
We know from the relation between electric field and electric potential that electric potential falls with increase in radius of the spherical conductor.
However, the maximum fall possible is that of the radius of the spherical conductor itself.
Thus at the centre of a charged hollow spherical conductor, the potential drop is constant.

Note: The electric potential is also known as the electrostatic potential, or the electric field potential, is the potential drop experienced by the unit positive charge, when it moves from one place to the other, in the presence of an electric field. Also, note that Electric potential is a scalar quantity.