23.

44: a)
kq kq 1 1
(i)  r < ra : V = − 
r − r 
= kq .
ra rb  a b 

kq kq 1 1 
(ii)  ra < r < rb : V = − = kq 
r − r 
.
r rb  b 
(iii)  r > rb : V = 0, since outside a sphere the potential is the same as for point
charge. Therefore we have the identical potential to two oppositely charged point charges
at the same location. These potentials cancel.

1 q q 1 1 1
b)  Va = 
r − r  and Vb = 0 ⇒Vab = 4πε q 
r − r 
4πε 0  a b  0  a b 

∂V q ∂ 1 1  1 q Vab 1
ra < r < rb : E = − =−  −  = + = .
c) ∂r 4πε 0 ∂r  r rb  4πε r 2
1 1 2 r
0
 − 
 ra rb 
d) From Equation (23.23): E = 0, since V is zero outside the spheres.
e) If the outer charge is different, then outside the outer sphere the potential is no
1 q 1 Q 1 (q − Q)
longer zero but is V = − = . All potentials inside the
4πε 0 r 4πε 0 r 4πε 0 r
1 Q
outer shell are just shifted by an amount V = − 4πε r . Therefore relative potentials
0 b

within the shells are not affected. Thus (b) and (c) do not change. However, now that
the potential does vary outside the spheres, there is an electric field there:
∂V ∂  kq − kQ  kq  Q
E =− =−  + = 
1 − q 
.
∂r ∂r  r r  r2  