Q is the total charge, R the radius and r the distance from the centre.
Derivation
- All the charge sits on the surface.
- Outside (r ≥ R): a spherical Gaussian surface encloses Q, so E × 4πr² = Q/ε₀ and E = kQ/r².
- Inside (r < R): a Gaussian surface encloses no charge, so E = 0.
Points to remember
- Just outside the surface E = kQ/R² = σ/ε₀.
- The potential inside is constant, kQ/R.
All field formulas
| Field due to | Formula |
|---|---|
| Electric field due to a point charge | E = kq/r² = q/(4πε₀r²) |
| Electric field due to an electric dipole on its axis | E = 2kp/r³ |
| Electric field due to an electric dipole on its equatorial line | E = kp/r³ |
| Electric field due to a charged ring on its axis | E = kQx/(x² + R²)^(3/2) |
| Electric field due to an infinite line charge | E = λ/(2πε₀r) = 2kλ/r |
| Electric field due to an infinite charged sheet | E = σ/(2ε₀) |
| Electric field due to a charged conducting sphere (or spherical shell) | E = kQ/r² outside, 0 inside |
| Electric field due to a uniformly charged non-conducting sphere | E = kQr/R³ inside, kQ/r² outside |
| Magnetic field due to a long straight wire | B = μ₀I/(2πr) |
| Magnetic field due to a finite straight wire | B = (μ₀I/4πd)(sin α + sin β) |
| Magnetic field due to a circular loop at its centre | B = μ₀I/(2R) |
| Magnetic field due to a circular loop on its axis | B = μ₀IR²/(2(R² + x²)^(3/2)) |
| Magnetic field due to a long solenoid | B = μ₀nI |
| Magnetic field due to a toroid | B = μ₀NI/(2πr) |
Questions students ask
What is the electric field due to a charged conducting sphere (or spherical shell)?
E = kQ/r² outside, 0 inside. Q is the total charge, R the radius and r the distance from the centre.
How do you derive the electric field due to a charged conducting sphere (or spherical shell)?
All the charge sits on the surface. Outside (r ≥ R): a spherical Gaussian surface encloses Q, so E × 4πr² = Q/ε₀ and E = kQ/r². Inside (r < R): a Gaussian surface encloses no charge, so E = 0.