Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): When two charged conducting spheres of different radii are connected by a thin conducting wire, the smaller sphere has a stronger electric field at its surface. Reason (R): For spherical conductors at the same potential, the surface charge density is inversely proportional to the radius. In the lig

Step-by-step solution

When two conducting spheres are connected by a wire, charge flows until their electrostatic potentials become equal ( V₁ = V₂ = V ). The potential of a sphere of radius R is V = 1 4 ₀ q R . The surface charge density is = q 4 R^2 . Thus, V = R ₀ , which means = ₀ V R . Since V is constant, 1 R . This makes the Reason (R) true. The electric field at the surface of a conductor is given by E = ₀ . Since 1 R , it follows that E 1 R . Therefore, the smaller sphere (smaller R ) will have a larger surface charge density a