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NEET PHYSICSMedium

Three concentric spherical shells have radii a, b and c (a < b < c) and have surface charge densities \sigma , -\sigma and \sigma respectively. If V_A, V_B and V_C denote the potential of the three shells, if c = a + b, we have

A

V_C = V_A ≠ V_B

B

V_C = V_B ≠ V_A

C

V_C ≠ V_B ≠ V_A

D

V_C = V_B = V_A

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Charge Calculation: Let qA,qB,qCq_A, q_B, q_C be charges on shells of radii a,b,ca, b, c with densities σ,σ,σ\sigma, -\sigma, \sigma respectively. qA=4πa2σq_A = 4\pi a^2 \sigma, qB=4πb2σq_B = -4\pi b^2 \sigma, qC=4πc2σq_C = 4\pi c^2 \sigma.

  2. Potential Formulas: The potential VV at the surface of a shell of radius RR is due to its own charge and the charges of other shells. Potential inside a shell is constant and equals the surface potential. Potential outside varies as 1/r1/r. V=14πε0qrV = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \sum \frac{q}{r}

  3. Potential at Shell A (VAV_A): VA=14πε0[qAa+qBb+qCc]V_A = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} [\frac{q_A}{a} + \frac{q_B}{b} + \frac{q_C}{c}] VA=14πε0[4πa2σa4πb2σb+4πc2σc]=σε0(ab+c)V_A = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} [\frac{4\pi a^2 \sigma}{a} - \frac{4\pi b^2 \sigma}{b} + \frac{4\pi c^2 \sigma}{c}] = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (a - b + c)

  4. Potential at Shell C (VCV_C): VC=14πε0[qAc+qBc+qCc]V_C = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} [\frac{q_A}{c} + \frac{q_B}{c} + \frac{q_C}{c}] VC=14πε0σc(4πa24πb2+4πc2)=σε0c(a2b2+c2)V_C = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{\sigma}{c} (4\pi a^2 - 4\pi b^2 + 4\pi c^2) = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0 c} (a^2 - b^2 + c^2)

  5. Apply Condition c = a + b: Substitute c=a+bc = a + b into VAV_A: VA=σε0(ab+a+b)=σε0(2a)V_A = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (a - b + a + b) = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (2a)

Substitute c=a+bc = a + b into VCV_C: VC=σε0(a+b)(a2b2+(a+b)2)V_C = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0 (a+b)} (a^2 - b^2 + (a+b)^2) VC=σε0(a+b)((ab)(a+b)+(a+b)2)V_C = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0 (a+b)} ((a-b)(a+b) + (a+b)^2) VC=σε0(a+b)(a+b)[(ab)+(a+b)]V_C = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0 (a+b)} (a+b) [ (a-b) + (a+b) ] VC=σε0(2a)V_C = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (2a)

  1. Conclusion: VA=VCV_A = V_C. We calculate VBV_B to check equality. VB=σε0(a2bb+c)=σε0(a2bb+a+b)=σε0(a2b+a)2aV_B = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (\frac{a^2}{b} - b + c) = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (\frac{a^2}{b} - b + a + b) = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0} (\frac{a^2}{b} + a) \neq 2a (since aba \neq b). Thus, VC=VAVBV_C = V_A \neq V_B.
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