NOTE

P H Y S I C S

ELECTROSTATICS
EARTHING OF A CONDUCTOR

What you already know What you will learn

• Electric field • Connecting a conductor with Earth’s

• Electric potential surface
• Gauss’s law • Problems based on earthing of a
• Conductors conducting sphere and concentric shells

BOARDS
Earthing of Conductors

Connecting a conductor with Earth’s surface

Electrostatically, the Earth has the following properties: +Q

1. Earth is an infinite resource and a sink of charges.
2. Earth’s potential can be assumed to be zero. This is because its
radius is very large. If we put a +Q charge on the surface of the Earth,
then the electric potential on the surface of the Earth becomes,
kQ
Ve
= ≈ 0 [Since Re is very large]
Re

Pictorially, earthing is denoted by parallel lines, starting from bigger to

smaller as shown in the figure.

Earthing symbol

Now, consider an isolated metal sphere having a total charge +Q. Initially, Q +
it is not grounded (i.e., earthed) as shown in the figure. Therefore, the + +
charge will be uniformly distributed on the surface of the sphere. + +
As soon as the sphere is grounded with the help of a wire, it results + +
in the charge transfer to/from the Earth till the potential of the sphere + +
becomes zero and consequently, the net charge becomes zero in this
case. Since it is an isolated charged conductor and there is no other + +
+
charge in the vicinity to make the potential of the sphere zero, a –Q
amount of charge from the ground flows to the sphere.

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 02

This flow of charges from Earth to the sphere makes the net charge of Neutral
the sphere zero to achieve the potential as zero. Therefore, the sphere
becomes neutral as soon as it is earthed.

Therefore, after connecting the metallic sphere, Vconductor = VEarth = 0

1. Whenever a small metal body (conductor) is grounded or connected to the Earth, it

results in the charge transfer to/from the Earth till its potential becomes zero.
2. It is not necessary that whenever a body is connected to the Earth, the charge on the
body becomes zero. There are certain cases where the potential of the body becomes
zero but the net charge remains non-zero.

Neutral metal sphere in the vicinity of a charge

– +
Consider a neutral metal sphere, and it is not grounded.
If an external charge +q is brought in the vicinity of the – +
q
neutral sphere, we know that due to polarisation (or – +
induction), a –q charge will be induced on the surface of x R
– +
the sphere facing the external charge, and a +q charge
will be induced on the opposite surface of the sphere as – +
shown in the figure.

qe
Assume that the radius of the sphere is R, and the – +
external charge is placed at a distance x from the centre – +
q
of the sphere. – +
Consider that as soon as the sphere is grounded, qe x R
– +
charge is transferred to the sphere from the ground to qe
– +
make the net potential on the sphere zero, which is the
potential of the Earth (i.e., ground potential).

The total potential on the sphere is due to two charges:

(i) The external charge +q
(ii) The charge qe that is transferred by the Earth to the sphere.

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 03

Thus, the total potential on the sphere is given by,

Since the potential of the sphere becomes zero after 
Vsphere = V+ q + V+ qe = 0  
connecting it to the ground. 
⇒ V+ q + V+ qe =
0
q qe
⇒ + 0 [ Where R is the radius of the sphere.]
=
4πε 0 x 4πε 0R Since the potential of the sphere becomes
Vsphere = V+ q + V+ qe = 0 
qR connecting it to the ground
⇒ qe =
−
x
⇒ V+ q + V+ qe = 0
q qe –
⇒ + 0 [ Where R is the radius of the sphere]
=
πε 0the 4πε 0R
x sphere –
In this case, although the total potential 4of q
qR –
is zero, the net charge on the sphere ⇒ qeis= − . The x R
x –
distribution of this charge is shown in the figure.
– qe

Note:
The negative induced charge distribution on the sphere remains unaffected even though the
sphere is grounded because it is held by the external charge +q. If a conductor is grounded, it is
no longer an isolated conductor. So, its charge cannot be conserved.

+
+ + +
There are two uncharged identical metallic spheres +
+ q +
of radius a, separated by a distance d. A charged +
+
metallic sphere (charge q) of the same radius is
+
+ +
brought, and it touches sphere 1. After some time, it
is moved to a far-off distance. After this, sphere 2 is a a
1 2
earthed. Find the charge on sphere 2.
d

Solution

Since the charged metallic sphere having charge +q has the same radius as that of sphere 1, when
the metallic sphere touches sphere 1, the charge gets transferred equally. This means that after
the charged metallic sphere touches sphere 1, the individual charge on both the spheres becomes
q q
+ . −
2 2
Since the metallic sphere is now moved far away from sphere 1, it need not be considered in the
concerned system anymore. The concerned system is shown in the figure on the next page.

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The distance between sphere 1 and sphere 2 is d, and

q q
sphere 2 is earthed. Since sphere 1 has+ charge, − it
q q 2 2 q'
+
polarises sphere 2. As a result, − charge is induced on + + + – +
2 2 q
q q +− q – +
+
the surface of sphere 2 facing sphere 1, and + charge
2
−
2
+ a +2 +2 – a + q'
+ 1 + – 2 +
is induced on the opposite surface of sphere 2 as shown + – +
in the figure. Due to the earthing of sphere 2, let q' charge + +
be transferred to it from the ground, where q' is the final
d
charge distribution on the outer surface of the grounded
conductor. As sphere 2 is earthed, its total potential is
zero. Therefore,

(V )
sphere 2 =0
⇒ (Vsphere ) + Vq ' =
0
1
(Vsphere )2 = 0
q 
2 q' ⇒ (Vsphere ) + Vq ' =
0
⇒   + 0 [ Where a is1 radius of the sphere 2]
=
4πε 0d 4πε 0a q 
qa  2  q'
⇒ q' = − ⇒ + = 0 [ Where a is radius of the sphere 2]
2d 4πε 0d 4πε 0a
qa
⇒q
The net charge on sphere 2'is=− .
2d

A charge q is distributed uniformly on the surface of a solid sphere +q

of radius R. It is covered by a concentric hollow conducting sphere R
A B
of radius 2R. Find the charges on the inner and outer surfaces of 2R
the hollow sphere if it is earthed.

Solution

Before earthing, the –q charge will be induced uniformly throughout the inner surface of the hollow
sphere, and the +q charge will be induced uniformly throughout the outer surface.
After earthing, the charge distribution on the inner surface will not change, but that on the outer
surface will change. Let the charge on the outer surface be q' after earthing.
The electric potential at the outer surface of the hollow sphere will be due to the following:
(i) +q charge on the solid sphere of radius R.
(ii) –q charge on the inner surface of the hollow sphere of radius 2R.
(iii) q' charge on the outer surface of the hollow sphere of radius 2R.

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Therefore, the electric potential at the outer surface of the hollow sphere is given by,

Vouter =
q
+
( − q) + q'
4πε 0 ( 2R ) 4πε 0 ( 2R ) 4πε 0 ( 2R )
Since the hollow sphere is grounded, Vouter = 0 –q q'
Thus, +q
q ( − q) + q' = R
+ 0 A B
4πε 0 ( 2R ) 4πε 0 ( 2R ) 4πε 0 ( 2R ) 2R
q'
⇒ =
0
4πε 0 ( 2R )
⇒ q' =
0
Thus, the charge on the inner surface and the outer surface of the hollow sphere is –q and 0,
respectively.

B
q
Two concentric shells A and B have radii a and b as shown in the a
figure. Shell B is given charge q, and shell A is earthed. Find the charge A
appearing on the outer surface of shell A. b

Solution MAIN

Initially, there is no charge on shell A, but shell B has charge q. Since shell A is earthed, let charge
q1 be transferred to shell A from the ground to make the electric potential zero on the surface of
shell A.
As soon as the charge q1 is distributed uniformly on the surface of shell A, –q1 charge gets induced
and distributed on the inner surface of shell B, and +q1charge gets induced and distributed on the
outer surface of shell B. Therefore, the net charge on the outer surface of shell B becomes (q + q1).
It is given that the radius of shell A and shell B is a and b, respectively.
Therefore, the electric potential at the outer surface of shell A is given by,

VA =
q1
+
( − q1 ) + ( q + q1 )
4πε 0a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b B
–q1 q + q1
Since shell A is grounded, VA = 0
Thus, +q1 a
A
q1
+
( − q1 ) + ( q + q1 ) =
0 b
4πε 0a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b
1  q1 q1 q q1 
⇒ − + + =
0
4πε 0  a b b b 
q q
⇒ 1 + = 0
a b
qa reserved
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⇒q = −
 VA = + + q1 ( − q1 ) + A( qis+ grounded
q1 )
q1 ( −4qπε ) 0a ( q 4 +πεq0b) 4πε 0b
q ( − q1 ) + ( q + q1 ) Since
+ shell =0
06 + 1
+ 1
= 0 VAV= = 01 + 4πε 0a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b
Since
4πε 0a 4πε 0b shell A is
4πε 0b grounded, A 4πε a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b Thus,
0
1  q1 q1 q q1 
Thus,
1  q1 q1 q q1  Since shell A is grounded, VA = 0 ⇒ q −( − q+1 ) +( q + q=1 )0
⇒ − + + = 0 4πε 0 1 a + b b+ b  =
q
4πε 0 1a
+
( − q ) ( q
b 1b b  1 Thus,
+
+ q ) = 0
4πε 0a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b
q q
q1 4πε q 0a 4πε 0b 4πε 0b
q1 ( − q1 ) + ( q + q1 ) = ⇒ 1 + 1= 0 q q q q 
⇒ + = 0 + 0 a⇒ b  1 − 1 + + 1 
a b 1  q1 q1 q q1  4πε a 4πε b 4πε 0b 4πε 0  a b b b
⇒ − + + = 0 qa
πε 0  a b b b  ⇒ q1 = −q
0 0
4qa qB
⇒ q1 = − 1  q1 q1 q q1  ⇒ 1 b+ = 0 qa
q1b q ⇒ − + + = 0 a b q− b
⇒ + = 0 4πε 0  a b b b 
Hence, the a charge
b that appears on the outer surface a A qa
q q ⇒ q1 = −
qa ⇒ 1 + = 0 b b
⇒ Aq1 is=
of shell − , and the chargesa that b appear on the
b
qa qa
inner and outer surfaces of shell ⇒ Bq1are=− and q − ,
b b
respectively.

C
–q
B
Three concentric shells A, B, and C, have radii a, b and c, respectively. b q
Shells A and C are given charges q and −q, respectively, and shell B is aA
earthed. Find the charges appearing on the outer surfaces of B and C. c

Solution

Before earthing shell B, there is no charge on it, but shell A and shell C
have charge q and –q, respectively. Since the outer surface of shell A
has charge +q, shell B gets polarised. The inner surface of shell B has C +q –q –q+q
an induced charge –q and consequently, the outer surface of shell B –q
B
has an induced charge +q. Similarly, since the outer surface of shell B
A q
has charge +q, shell C gets polarised. The inner surface of shell C has
an induced charge –q and consequently, the outer surface of shell C has
an induced charge +q, but shell C already has charge –q on its outer
surface. Therefore, the net charge on the outer surface of shell C is zero
before the earthing at shell B.
Now, after the earthing of shell B, let the charge qe be transferred to the outer surface of shell B
from the ground to make the electric potential zero on the surface of shell B. Therefore, let the net
charge on the outer surface of shell B be q', but the charge on the inner surface of shell B remains
the same, i.e., –q, because it is held by charge +q on the outer surface of shell A. Simply remember
the fact that any two facing surfaces must hold an equal and opposite charge.

q' q'– q
As soon as the charge q' is distributed uniformly on the outer surface of –q –q'
shell B, –q' charge gets induced and distributed on the inner surface of b q
shell C and consequently, +q' charge gets induced and distributed on the a
qe c
outer surface of shell C. Therefore, the net charge on the outer surface A
of the shell C is (–q + q' ). B
C

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It is given that the radii of shell A, shell B, and shell C are a, b, and c, respectively.
Therefore, the electric potential at the outer surface of shell B is given by,

q ( − q) q' ( − q ') + ( − q + q ')

(Vnet )B = + + +
4πε 0b 4πε 0b 4πε 0b 4πε 0c 4πε 0c
Since shell B is grounded, VB = 0 qb  b
 
Thus, −q +
qb  =− q 1 − 
 c 
qb  c
−
q
+
( − q) +
q'
+
( − q ') + ( − q + q ') =
0
c c –q
4πε 0b 4πε 0b 4πε 0b 4πε 0c 4πε 0c b q qb qb
1  q q q' q' q' q  −
⇒ − + − + − = 0 a c c
c
4πε 0  b b b c c c A
q' q B
⇒ − = 0 C
b c
qb
⇒ q' =
c
Hence,
(i) The charge that appears on the inner surface of shell B is –q.
qb qb
(ii) The charge that appears on the outer surface of shell B is . −
c c
qb qb
(iii) The charge that appears on the inner surface of shell C is − .
c c
 qb   b
(iv) The charge that appears on the outer surface of shell C is,  − q +  =− q 1 −  .
 c   c

Qa
Two hollow, concentric non-conducting spheres of radii a and b Qb
(a > b) contain charges Qa and Qb, respectively. Prove that the potential
b
difference between the two spheres is independent of the charge on
the outer sphere.
a

Solution

Since the two hollow spheres are non-conducting, no induction (or polarisation) will take place in
the given system. We also know that the electric potential remains constant inside the spherical
shell.
It is given that the shell of radius a contains charge Qa and the shell of radius b contains charge Qb.
Therefore, the electric potential of the inner shell is given by,
Qb Qa
Vinner
= + ............ ( i )
4πε 0b 4πε 0a
The electric potential of the outer shell is given by,
Qb Qa
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+ ............ ( ii )
4πε 0a 4πε 0a
reserved
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Qb Qa
Vinner
= + ............ ( i )
4πε 0b 4πε 0a
The electric potential of the outer shell is given by,
Qb Qa
Vouter
= + ............ ( ii )
4πε 0a 4πε 0a
By subtracting equation ( ii ) from equation ( i ) , we get,
 Qb Qa   Qb Qa 
Vinner − Vouter=
 + − + 
 4πε 0b 4πε 0a   4πε 0a 4πε 0a 
Qb Qb
∆V
⇒= −
4πε 0b 4πε 0a
Qb  1 1 
⇒ ∆V
= −
4πε 0  b a 
Since ΔV does not contain Qa, which is the charge on the outer spherical shell, it is proved that the
potential difference between the two hollow, concentric non-conducting spheres is independent
of the charge on the outer sphere.

• A grounded conductor is assumed to be at zero net potential.

• A grounded conductor is no longer an isolated conductor, so its charge cannot be
conserved. Therefore, assume finally q' amount of charge distributed on its outer surface.
• The surfaces of concentric spherical shells facing each other must have equal and
opposite charge (i.e., as parallel conducting plates).
• If external charges are present near the vicinity of a conductor, induction or polarisation
occurs on the conductor.

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