Question

A Student said, “The electric field at the center of a charged spherical shell is zero, so the potential at that location is also zero.” Explain to the student why this statement is incorrect.

Short answer

The potential is not always zero but can be continuous when electric field is zero. statement is incorrect

Step-by-step solution

Concept/Significance of electric field.

An electric field is a mathematical construct that represents the amount and direction of the net electrical force experienced by a unit of electrical charge at a particular place in space as a result of interaction with all other electrical charges in the area.

Explanation of the incorrect statement

The electric potential is not necessarily zero when there is no electric field, but potential will be continuous. The potential is identical to that which can be seen on the surface of sphere. There would be no possible difference between the surface and center of the sphere.

Thus, the potential is not always zero but can be continuous when electric field is zero. statement is incorrect