Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/ib/paper-4/7b/ii/solution

Spherical symmetry and the integral Gauss law give for . Together with the stipulated zero interior field,
The electric field jumps across the ideal charged surface; its value exactly on that surface is not needed for the volume integral. The electrostatic energy of a uniformly charged spherical shell is
As a check, the shell has constant electric potential , with zero reference at infinity, so gives the same result.

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