145k views
3 votes
When two charged metal spheres are connected by a conducting wire and sphere a is larger than sphere b. the magnitude of the electric potential at the surface of sphere a is same as compared to the surface of sphere b. charge that was originally on the larger sphere (sphere a) distributes itself onto the two spheres. after that charges will stop moving and the spheres will end up carrying different charges. since, the two conducting spheres are connected by a conducting wire, which is a conductor, they form an equipotential surface. and thus they both are at the same voltage. therefore, when two charged metal spheres are connected by a conducting wire and sphere a is larger than sphere b. the magnitude of the electric potential at the surface of sphere a is same as compared to the surface of sphere b.

1 Answer

5 votes

Initially, when a larger metal sphere (A) is connected to a smaller sphere (B) by a conducting wire, charge redistributes until both spheres achieve the same electric potential, resulting in equal surface potentials despite different charges.

When two charged metal spheres, denoted as sphere A and sphere B, are initially connected by a conducting wire, and sphere A is larger than sphere B, the charge redistributes itself until equilibrium is reached. The process involves the flow of charge through the conducting wire until both spheres share a common potential.

Initially, sphere A, being larger, possesses a greater charge. As charge flows through the connecting wire, it distributes between the two spheres. Since the wire is a conductor, the charge redistributes until an equipotential surface is established, where both spheres attain the same electric potential.

Despite the initial size-based difference in charge, the redistribution ensures that the electric potential at the surface of sphere A becomes equal to that of sphere B. This equalization of potential occurs because the connected spheres are part of the same conducting system. Consequently, the charges on both spheres come to rest, and the system stabilizes with both spheres carrying different charges, yet maintaining the same potential.

In summary, when initially connected, the larger sphere (A) transfers charge to the smaller sphere (B) through a conducting wire until both spheres reach the same electric potential. This redistribution of charge ensures that the magnitude of electric potential at the surfaces of spheres A and B becomes identical, even though they may carry different charges.

User Jaewon
by
7.9k points