---
title: "Two thin, concentric, conducting spherical shells have radii \\(a\\) and \\(b\\) (\\(a < b\\)). Initially, the inner shell carries a net charge \\(+Q\\) and the outer shell is uncharged. Two independent scenarios are considered:  * **Scenario 1:** The outer shell is connected to ground while the inner shell remains insulated. * **Scenario 2:** Starting from the initial state, the inner shell is connected to ground while the outer shell remains insulated.  Which of the following correctly pairs the final net charge on the outer shell in Scenario 1 with the final net charge on the inner shell in Scenario 2?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118218/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:08:14+00:00"
---

# Two thin, concentric, conducting spherical shells have radii \(a\) and \(b\) (\(a < b\)). Initially, the inner shell carries a net charge \(+Q\) and the outer shell is uncharged. Two independent scenarios are considered:

* **Scenario 1:** The outer shell is connected to ground while the inner shell remains insulated.
* **Scenario 2:** Starting from the initial state, the inner shell is connected to ground while the outer shell remains insulated.

Which of the following correctly pairs the final net charge on the outer shell in Scenario 1 with the final net charge on the inner shell in Scenario 2?

Two thin, concentric, conducting spherical shells have radii \(a\) and \(b\) (\(a < b\)). Initially, the inner shell carries a net charge \(+Q\) and the outer shell is uncharged. Two independent scenarios are considered:

* **Scenario 1:** The outer shell is connected to ground while the inner shell remains insulated.
* **Scenario 2:** Starting from the initial state, the inner shell is connected to ground while the outer shell remains insulated.

Which of the following correctly pairs the final net charge on the outer shell in Scenario 1 with the final net charge on the inner shell in Scenario 2?

![Two concentric thin circles representing cross-sections of spherical shells centered at the origin. The inner circle has radius a and is labeled with charge +Q. The outer circle has radius b, where b is noticeably larger than a, and is initially uncharged. A radial line segment from the origin to the inner circle is labeled a. A second radial line segment from the origin to the outer circle is labeled b. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785830894-Ae7LxO.jpg)

- **A.** Scenario 1 (outer shell): \(0\) | Scenario 2 (inner shell): \(-Q\)
- **B.** Scenario 1 (outer shell): \(-Q\) | Scenario 2 (inner shell): \(0\)
- **C.** Scenario 1 (outer shell): \(+Q\) | Scenario 2 (inner shell): \(0\)
- **D.** Scenario 1 (outer shell): \(-Q\) | Scenario 2 (inner shell): \(+Q\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118218/*