The potential everywhere outside the conducting sphere is the same as the potential generated by two point charges: (1) the original point charge q; and (2) an image charge −q 1 . (The minus sign has ...The potential everywhere outside the conducting sphere is the same as the potential generated by two point charges: (1) the original point charge q; and (2) an image charge −q 1 . (The minus sign has been introduced for convenience; it makes sense that the charges induced on the sphere should have a sign that is opposite to that of the charge q.) The assertion is that if the position of the charge q 1 as well as its magnitude are properly chosen then these two charges will create a potential th…
