A hollow conducting sphere is placed in an electric field produced by a point charge at P as shown in the figure. Let V1 and V2 be the electrostatic potential at points A and B respectively.

Then,

A. V1 > V2

B. V2 > V1

C. V1 = V2

D. None of the above

Answer

The potential at the sphere will be because of the charge that is induced in it because of the charge placed outside it. Since, the sphere is an equipotential surface, the potential will be the same on all the points A, B and C. However, the sum of induced charges is zero and hence potential at the center is zero.