What is the electric potential at the sphere's surface? having troubles

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric potential at the surface of a charged metal sphere with a specified radius and net charge. The original poster expresses difficulty in applying the relevant equations to find the electric potential and electric field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use an equation from their textbook to calculate the electric potential but questions the validity of their result. Other participants suggest recalling the relationship between electric potential and charge, while some clarify the behavior of the electric field outside the sphere.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of the equations involved and discussing the implications of charge sign and the nature of the electric field. There is an ongoing exchange about the correct application of formulas and the conditions under which they hold true.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the electric field outside the sphere behaves like that of a point charge, while others highlight the distinction between electric field behavior inside and outside the sphere. The original poster's calculations are under scrutiny, particularly regarding the sign of the potential.

mr_coffee
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Hello everyone, I'm having troulbes figuring this one out. I found an equation in the book, tried it, but it was wrong. The problem is the following:
A metal sphere of radius 15 cm has a net charge of 2.0 10-8 C.

(a) What is the electric field at the sphere's surface?
7992.7 N/C
(b) If V = 0 at infinity, what is the electric potential at the sphere's surface?
V
(c) At what distance from the sphere's surface has the electric potential decreased by 700 V?

I found part (a) by finding [tex]\delta[/tex] = Q/A; Then using E = [tex]\delta[/tex]/Eo; Which was correct.

But for (b) I Saw [tex]Vf - Vi = -\int E.ds.[/tex]
So Vf- Vi is electric potential. So i tried:
V = -E*d = -(7992.7N/C)(.15) = -1198.905 V but was wrong, any ideas why?
 
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yea, it's a positive charge.

Recall that the E outside the shell
is the same as if it was a point Q,
so V = kQ/r just as with a point charge.
. . . V has same sign as the Q !
 
so my answer is right i just have to make it positive? 1198.905 V/>
 
V=Ed only works if E is constant. Outside a sphere, E is not constant, but drops off as [itex]1/r^2[/itex]. The field outside a charged sphere is the same as the field of a point charge located at the centre of the sphere.
 
Well a E field at the center of a sphere is 0 isn't it?
 
Right but for a closed sphere the E field (OUTSIDE the sphere) is the same as that of a point charge. inside the sphere its zero by gauss' laws.
 

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