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5.39 Electric potential difference between charged

concentric metallic shells
by Rajan M V | Aug 30, 2013 | Electromagnetism | 0 comments

5.39 Electric potential difference between charged concentric metallic shells

Two concentric conducting shells with radii R and r (< R) have charges q1 and q2 respectively. Determine the electrostatic potential difference
between them.

Solution:

The meaning of "potential difference between them" must be clearly understood. Generally potential of a shell refers to the potential of its surface.
So here we need to calculate the difference in the potentials of the surface of the two shells.

The potential of a shell is same in its interior and surface. For  a shell of radius R with charge Q, potential on the surface or any point inside is given
by V .
1 Q
=
4πϵo R

Potential at any point out side the surface is gievn by V where r is the distance from the centre of the shell.
1 Q
=
4πϵo r

In the given problem we need to calculate the potential of the surface of the inner shell and that of the outer shell. It is enough to calculate the

potential at any point on the surface. We will choose points A and B.

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Potential of A

The potential at A is due to both the charges q1 and q2 .

Now from the diagram it is clear that the point A is on the surface of the inner shell. So potential due to q1 can be calculated using the equation for

potential on the surface of a  shell. This will be V .

1 q1
=
4πϵo r

The point A is also is inside the outer shell. Potential due to charge on outer shell q2 is equal to the potential of the outer sphere. This is 
. See that we have used the radius of the outer shell!.
1 q2
V =
4πϵo R

So what is the total potential of the point A. Potential is a scalar quantity. It can be added directly. Bear in mind that negative charges produce
negative potential. If any of the charge is negative, its potential will also be negative.

q q q q
So potential of point A is VA =
4πϵo
1 1

r
+
4πϵo
1

R
2
=
4πϵo
1
(
r
1
+
R
2
) --------------- (1)

Potential of B

Potential of point B is also due to both charges. But the difference is that the point is on the surface of the outer shell and OUTSIDE the inner shell.

So the potential of  B is the sum  of potential due to charge q1 at its outside point and due to q2 on its surface.

Potential due to q1  is V . See that we have used the charge on the inner shell and  radius of the outer shell which is the distance
1 q1
=
4πϵo R

from the centre of the inner shell to the outer shell.

Potential due to q2  is V . This is the surface potential of the outer shell.
1 q2
=
4πϵo R

The net potential of point B is the sum of the above potentials.So, 

q q q q
VB =
1 1
+
1 2
=
1
(
1
+
2
) =
1
( q1 + q2 ) --------------- (2)
4πϵo R 4πϵo R 4πϵo R R 4π ϵo R

Now we have both the rquired potentials. Now take the difference. It may be VB − VA or VA − VB . As nothing is mentioned in the problem,

we can choose any of these.

q q
Lets select VB − VA .  This will be 1
( q1 + q2 ) −
1
(
1
+
2
)
4π ϵo R 4πϵo r R

or, VB 1 q1 q2 q1 q2
− VA = ( + − ( + R)
4πϵo R R r )

q q q q
1 1 2 1 2
VB − VA = ( + − − )
4πϵo R R r R

q q
or VB − VA =
1
(
1
−
1
)
4πϵo R r

q
This becomes, VB − VA =
4πϵo
1
(
1

R
−
1

r
)

The potential of points A and B depends on both the charges. But the difference depends only on the charge on the inner shell.

One more interesting fact about the potential can be seen here. The radius R>r, so 1

R
−
1

r
must be negative. This indicates that the potential of

inner shell is greater than that of the outer one.

2
 

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