Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A thin spherical shell refers to a hollow three-dimensional geometric shape with constant thickness but no volume inside. All points on its outer surface are equidistant from its center.
Related terms
Hollow: Having an empty space or cavity inside.
Concentric Spheres: Spheres with the same center but different radii, where each sphere surrounds the other.
Shell Theorem: A theorem stating that the gravitational force exerted by a spherically symmetric body on an object outside it is the same as if all its mass were concentrated at its center.