Using Gauss's law deduce the expression for the electric field due to a uniformly charged spherical conducting shell of radius R at a point (i) outside and (ii) inside the shell. Plot a graph showing the variation of electric field as a function of r>R and r<R (r being the distance from the centre of the shell).
Solution
Take a concentric spherical Gaussian surface of radius r. (i) For r>R the enclosed charge is q:
E(4πr2)=ε0q⇒E=4πε01r2q
(ii) For r<R the enclosed charge is zero:
E=0
The field is zero inside, jumps to 4πε01R2q at r=R, then falls as 1/r2 outside.