Calculating Charge & Radius of a Van der Graaff Generator Dome

[riincanavi1]

1. A spherical dome of a Van der Graaff genenerator can be raised to a maximum electrical
potential of 600 kV; then additional charge leaks off in sparks as the electric field reaches 3.0
MV/m. Determine the charge and radius of the dome.



2. Homework Equations [E=kq/r^2 and V=kq/r]



3. I don't know how to relate the given Voltage and the given E field to find charge and radius

 

[Redbelly98]

You'll use the equations you quoted, for the values given in the problem statement.

I.e.,

3.0 MV/m = kq/r^2
600 kV = kq/r

Work with those to get r and q.