Question

If a conductor has a potential V ≠ 0 and there are no charges anywhere else outside, then ______.

1. there must be charges on the surface or inside itself.
2. there cannot be any charge in the body of the conductor.
3. there must be charges only on the surface.
4. there must be charges inside the surface.

Options

• a and b

• b and c

• c and d

• a and d

Answer 1

a and b

Explanation:

The potential of a body is due to the charge of the body and the charge of its surroundings. If there are no charges anywhere else outside, then the potential of the body will be due to its own charge. If there is a cavity inside a conducting body, then charge can be placed inside the body. Hence there must be charges on its surface or inside itself. Hence option (a) is correct. The charge resides on the outer surface of a closed charged conductor. Hence there cannot be any charge in the body of the conductor. Hence option (b) is correct.