Which one among the following is the correct representation of the electric field when a conducting spherical shell is placed between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor ?
Diagram (a)
Diagram (b)
Diagram (c)
Diagram (d)
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
1. The electric field lines are absent inside the conducting shell, indicating zero electric field within the conductor.
2. The electric field lines are perpendicular to the outer surface of the conducting shell at all points where they meet the surface.
3. The field lines are distorted by the presence of the conductor, originating from the positive plate, terminating on the induced negative charges on the near side of the sphere, originating again from the induced positive charges on the far side of the sphere, and finally terminating on the negative plate.
Diagrams (a) and (d) are incorrect as they show electric fields inside the conductor. Diagram (c) is incorrect as the field lines are not perpendicular to the conductor’s surface.