Question

A thin metallic spherical shell contains a charge \( Q \). A point charge \( q \) is placed at the center of the shell and another charge \( q_1 \) is placed outside it as shown in the figure. All the three charges are positive. The force on the charge at the center is:

• A. towards left
• B. towards right
• C. upward
• D. zero

Hint:

The force on a point charge at the center of a spherical shell with uniformly distributed charge is zero.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Force on charge at the center.
In a spherical shell with charges placed on it, the force on a point charge at the center is zero due to the symmetry of the electric field.
Step 2: Explanation.
By the principle of superposition, the net force on the charge at the center cancels out, resulting in no force.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{zero}} \]