[Physics] Why does the sphere with the smaller radius (r1) have the greater charge density

electrostaticshomework-and-exercisespotential

Suppose two charged conducting spheres of different radii $r_1$ and $r_2 > r_1$ are very far apart but connected by a conducting wire. Why does the sphere with the smaller radius $(r_1)$ have the greater charge density? So why don't you have two spheres with equal charge density?

I thought that when the system is in equilibrium, then because the two spheres are very far apart, their fields are assumed not to interfere with themselves and since the system has the same potential everywhere (equilibrium), the charge density of each sphere would be same.

Best Answer

The potential at the surface of a charged sphere or radius $r$ is:

$$ V = k\frac{Q}{r} \tag{1} $$

Since the area of the sphere is $4\pi r^2$, the charge density is:

$$ \rho = \frac{Q}{4\pi r^2} $$

and rearranging gives:

$$ Q = \rho 4\pi r^2 $$

and substituting for $Q$ in equation (1) we get:$$ V = 4\pi k\rho r $$

Can you take it from here?