If on the concentric hollow spheres of radii $r$ and $R(>r)$ the charge $Q$ is distributed such that their surface densities are same then the potential at their common centre is
A$\frac{Q(R^2 + r^2)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0(R + r)}$
B$\frac{QR}{R + r}$
CZero
D$\frac{(R + r)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0(R^2 + r^2)}$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. $\frac{(R + r)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0(R^2 + r^2)}$
Let the charges on the two spheres be $q_1$ and $q_2$. Since the surface charge densities are equal,
$$
\frac{q_1}{4\pi r^2}=\frac{q_2}{4\pi R^2}
$$
So,
$$
\frac{q_1}{q_2}=\frac{r^2}{R^2}
$$
Also the total charge is $Q$, hence
$$
q_1+q_2=Q
$$
Using the ratio,
$$
q_1=\frac{Qr^2}{r^2+R^2}
$$
$$
q_2=\frac{QR^2}{r^2+R^2}
$$
Potential at the centre due to a spherical shell is charge divided by $4\pi\varepsilon_0$ times its radius. Therefore,
$$
V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\left(\frac{q_1}{r}+\frac{q_2}{R}\right)
$$
Substituting,
$$
V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\left(\frac{Qr^2}{r(r^2+R^2)}+\frac{QR^2}{R(r^2+R^2)}\right)
$$
$$
V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\cdot \frac{Q(r+R)}{r^2+R^2}
$$
This matches option $\frac{Q(R+r)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0(R^2+r^2)}$ after re-checking all options.
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