Two solid conducting spheres of radii r₁ and r₂ are placed far apart and connected to each other by a thin conducting wire. If a total charge is given to the system, the ratio of the magnitudes of the electric fields at their surfaces, E₁ :

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Two solid conducting spheres of radii r₁ and r₂ are placed far apart and connected to each other by a thin conducting wire. If a total charge is given to the system, the ratio of the magnitudes of the electric fields at their surfaces, E₁ : E₂ , is:

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Correct answer: C. r₂ r₁

When the two conducting spheres are connected by a wire, charge flows until their surface potentials become equal. Let the common potential be V . The electric field at the surface of a conducting sphere of radius r and potential V is given by E = V r . For the first sphere: E₁ = V r₁ For the second sphere: E₂ = V r₂ Taking the ratio of the electric fields: E₁ E₂ = V r₁ V r₂ = r₂ r₁ Answer: r₂ r₁

Two solid conducting spheres of radii r₁ and r₂ are placed far apart and connected to each other by a thin conducting wire. If a total charge is given to the system, the ratio of the magnitudes of the electric fields at their surfaces, E₁ : E₂ , is:

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