Question

electrostatic potential energy of a shell of radius 10 cm. when 10 C charge is distributed over its surface?

Answer 1

The electrostatic potential energy of the given shell is 4.5 x 10^12 J.

Electrostatic potential energy is the same as the self energy of a shell.

The formula for self energy (U) is given as:

U = k (Q^2) / 2R

Substituting the given values to the formula:

U = 9 x 10^11 / 2 x 0.1
U = 4.5 x 10^12 J

Answer 2

 Radius of the spherical conductor, r = 10 cm = 0.1m

Charge is uniformly distributed over the conductor, q = 10 C

Now, on applying the formula for Electrostatic potential energy of a shell-

U=  Kq^2/2r

U= (9x10^9)x10^2/2x0.1 cm

U=4.5 x 10^12 J Ans.