Q 1.28 (a) A conductor A with a cavity as shown in Figure (a) is given a charge Q. Show that the entire charge must appear on the outer surface of the conductor.
(a) Let us consider a Gaussian surface that is lying wholly within a conductor and enclosing the cavity. The electric field intensity E inside the charged conductor is zero. Let q be the charge inside the conductor and is ?0 the permittivity of free space.
Therefore, the charge inside the conductor is zero. The entire charge Q appears on the outer surface of the conductor. (b) The outer surface of conductor A has a charge of amount Q. Another conductor B, having charge +q, is kept inside conductor A, and is insulated from A. Hence, a charge of amount −q will be induced on the inner surface of conductor A, and +q be induced on the outer surface of conductor A. Therefore, the total charge on the outer surface of conductor A is Q + q. (c) A sensitive instrument can be shielded from the strong electrostatic field in its environment by enclosing it fully inside a metallic surface. A closed metallic body acts as an electrostatic shield.