Consider two concentric spherical metal shells of radii `'a'` and `bgt a` .The outer shell has charge `Q` but the inner shell has no charge.Now the inner shell is grounded ,This means that the inner shell will come at zero potential and that electric fields lines leave the outer shell and end on the inner shell.(a) Find the charge on the inner shell
Find the potential on outer sphere.

Explanation

(i) When an object is connected to earth (grounded), its potential is reduced to zero. Let q' be the charge on A after it is earthed as shown in (Fig. 3.76.)
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The charge q' on A induces -q' on the inner surface of B and +q' on the outer surface of B. In equilibrium, the charge distribution is as shown in (Fig. 3.77.)
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Potential of inner sphere
= Potential due to charge on A+ Potential due to charge on B = 0
`V_A = (q')/(4 pi epsilon_0 a)-(q')/(4 pi epsilon_0 b) + (Q + q')/(4 pi epsilon_0 b)= 0`
or `q' = - Q (a/b)`
This implies that a charge `+Q (a//b)` has been transferred to the earth leaving negative charge on A.
Final charge distribution will be as shown in (Fig. 3.77.) As `b gt a`, so charge on the outer surface of the outer shell will be positive `((Q (b - a))/b gt 0)`.
(ii) Potential of outer surface `V_B` = Potential due to charge on A + Potential due to due to charge on B
`V_B = V_(a, out) + V_(b, "both surface") = (1)/(4 pi epsilon_0) (q')/b +(1)/(4 pi epsilon _0) Q/b`
=`(1)/(4 pi epsilon_0) ((-Q a/b))/b+ (1)/(4 pi epsilon_0) Q/b = (Q(b - a))/(4 pi epsilon_0 b^2)`.