23.52: From Problem 22.

51, the electric field of a sphere with radius R and q distributed

qr q
uniformly over its volume is E = 3
for r ≤ R and E = for r ≥ R
4πε 0 R 4πε 0 r 2
b
Va −Vb = ∫ Edr . Take b at infinity and V∞ = 0. Let point a be a distance r < R
a

from the center of the sphere.

R qr ∞ q q  r2 
Vr = ∫ dr + ∫ dr = 
 3 − 
r 4πε 0 R 3 R 4πε 0 r 2
8πε 0 R  R2 

Set q = +2e to get Vr for the sphere. The work done by the attractive force of the
sphere when one electron is removed from r =d to ∞is
2e 2  d2 
Wsphere = − eV r = − 
 3 − 

8πε 0 R  R2 
The total work done by the attractive force of the sphere when both electrons are
removed is twice this, 2Wsphere . The work done by the repulsive force of the two
e2
electrons is Wee = The total work done by the electrical forces is
4πε 0 ( 2d )
2Wsphere +Wee . The energy required to remove the two electrons is the negative of this,
e2  R d2 

 3 − − 
2πε 0 R  4d R2 

We can check this result in the special case of d = R, when the electrons initially sit on
the surface of the sphere. The potential due to the sphere is the same as for a point charge
+ 2e at the center of the sphere.

Wq →b = U a − U b
 − 2e 2  e2 e2  1  − 7e 2
U b = 0. U a = 2   + = 
 4πε R  4πε (2 R ) 4πε R  − 2 + =
 0  0 0 4  8πε 0 R

The work done by the electric forces when the electrons are removed is − 7e 2 8πε 0 R
and the energy required to remove them is 7e 2 8πε 0 R . Setting d =R in our general
expression yields this same result.