2002 AIPMT Electrostatic Potential and CapacitanceElectrostatics of Conductors Easy Question 72 of 76 in Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Some charge is being given to a conductor. Then its potential : -

A Is maximum at surface
B Is maximum at centre
C Is remain same throughout the conductor
D Is maximum somewhere between surface and centre

The answer is C.

Solution

In electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside a conductor is zero (E = 0), and all the charge resides on the outer surface.
Since $E = -\dfrac{dV}{dr} = 0$, the potential does not change from point to point inside.
So the potential is the same everywhere inside and on the surface; the conductor is an equipotential body.
So the potential remains the same throughout the conductor.

Concept Conductor is an equipotential

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance in past papers

76 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.