Damn units and surface charge density.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the surface charge density from the force experienced by an electron near a charged sheet. The initial calculation used the formula F = qe to find the electric field (E), which was then applied to the equation E = (surface charge density)/2epsilon_0. The result of 2.32e-42 C/m^2 was deemed incorrect, prompting inquiries about potential calculation errors. Participants suggest that the exponent in the final answer may be wrong and request intermediate results for clarity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of careful calculations in physics problems.
frasifrasi
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Ok, the question asks:

An electron close to a large, flat sheet of charge is repelled from the sheet with a 2.1×10^−12 {N} force.

Q. find the surface charge density on the sheet in C/m^2

What i did was use the formula F = qe with 2.1e-12 for the force and 6.1e-19 for the charge of an electron. This gives me E,which I used in the formula E = (surface charge density)/2epsilon_0.

Plugging everything in (epsilon_0 = 8.85e-12), I get 2.32e-42, but It says it is wrong.

Does anyone know why?

Thanks.
 
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Your formulas are correct, so there's a calculation error somewhere.

2.32e-42 C/m^2 is less than 1 electron per square kilometer!
 


I keep getting it wrong!

Can anyone verify the above is correct?

Much appreciated.
 


frasifrasi said:
Can anyone verify the above is correct?

The above is not correct. It's 2.32 x (A different power of 10 then -42)

Can you show some intermediate results? What did you get for the E-field?
 
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