In the static situation, how does the electrostatic potential vary th…

The correct answer is Option (4) → It is constant and has the same value everywhere.

In the static situation the electric field is zero inside a conductor and has no tangential component on its surface.

Option (1) It is inversely proportional to the distance from the centre. — Incorrect. A potential falling as \( 1/r \) belongs to the region outside a point charge or a charged sphere, where a field exists. Inside the conductor there is no field to change the potential.

Option (2) It is directly proportional to the distance from the centre. — Incorrect. A potential that changes from point to point needs an electric field along that direction, but the field inside the conductor is zero.

Option (3) It is zero everywhere. — Incorrect. The potential is the same everywhere, but its value need not be zero. A charged conductor has a non-zero potential throughout its volume.

Option (4) It is constant and has the same value everywhere. — Correct. No work is done in moving a test charge within the conductor or on its surface. So there is no potential difference between any two of its points, and the potential has one value inside and on the surface.

NCERT (2026-27):
4. Electrostatic potential is constant throughout the volume of the conductor and has the same value (as inside) on its surface – “… Since E = 0 inside the conductor and has no tangential component on the surface, no work is done in moving a small test charge within the conductor and on its surface. That is, there is no potential difference between any two points inside or on the surface of the conductor.”