Exact closed-form and asymptotic expressions for the electrostatic force between two conducting spheres

Abstract

We present exact closed-form expressions and complete asymptotic expansions for the electrostatic force between two charged conducting spheres of arbitrary sizes. Using asymptotic expansions of the force, we confirm that even like-charged spheres attract each other at sufficiently small separation unless their voltages/charges are the same as they would be at contact. We show that for sufficiently large size asymmetries, the repulsion between two spheres increases when they separate from contact if their voltages or their charges are held constant. Additionally, we show that in the constant voltage case, this like-voltage repulsion can be further increased and maximized through an optimal lowering of the voltage on the larger sphere at an optimal sphere separation.