Geo-Scientist Prelims 2025 General Studies Q2: A spherical conductor of radius a has a cavity of radius b at its…

A spherical conductor of radius \(a\) has a cavity of radius \(b\) at its centre such that \(a > b\). A positive charge \(q\) is placed at its centre (see in the figure). The electric fields in the regions \(b < r < a\) and \(r > a\) are respectively

1. (a) \(\frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 a^2}\) inward and \(\frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 b^2}\) outward
2. (b) \(\frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 r^2}\) inward and zero
3. (c) zero and \(\frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 r^2}\) outward
4. (d) zero and zero