Two charged conducting spheres of radii a and b are connected by a wire. The ratio of the electric fields at their surfaces respectively, is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → $b:a$
Let the charges on the spheres be $Q_1$ and $Q_2$, and radii be $a$ and $b$.
When two conducting spheres are connected by a wire, they attain the same potential:
$V_1 = V_2$
$\frac{Q_1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 a} = \frac{Q_2}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 b}$
$\frac{Q_1}{a} = \frac{Q_2}{b}$
$Q_1 : Q_2 = a : b$
The electric field at the surface of a sphere is:
$E = \frac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 r^2}$
Ratio of electric fields at the surfaces:
$\frac{E_1}{E_2} = \frac{Q_1 / a^2}{Q_2 / b^2} = \frac{a/b}{a^2/b^2} = \frac{b}{a}$