Electric field and potential problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field and potential just outside the surface of Earth, which is treated as a sphere with a given surface charge density. The radius of Earth is specified, and the original poster attempts to apply relevant equations to find the electric field and potential values.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster calculates the electric field and potential using the surface charge density but questions the correctness of their results. They express uncertainty about the role of the permittivity of free space (ε0) in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants suggest incorporating ε0 into the formulas for electric field and potential, indicating a potential resolution to the original poster's confusion. There is a brief exchange about the appropriateness of using the radius of Earth in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of including ε0 in calculations involving electric fields and potentials, as well as the assumptions made about the spherical nature of Earth and the implications of using the radius in the context of the problem.

gracy
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Homework Statement



Suppose that Earth has a surface charge density of 1 electron/metre^2 .Calculate Earth's potential and electric field just outside Earth's surface.Radius of Earth 6400 km

Homework Equations


surface charge density of sphere=##Q##/##4πR^2##

The Attempt at a Solution


Let's assume Earth to be spherical.Then
surface charge density of sphere=##Q##/##4πR^2##
##Q##=-##1.6##×##10^-19##×##4πR^2##
Electrical field of a sphere at distance r=##E##=##\frac{Q}{4πr^2}##
Earth's field just outside Earth's surface
We can take r=R
Therefore Earth's field =just outside Earth's surface=##E##=##\frac{Q}{4πR^2}##
=##E##=##\frac{-1.6×10^-19×4πR^2}{4πR^2}##
=-1.6×10^-19V/m
But it is wrong.I want to know what went wrong.Similarly in case of potential difference
##V##=##\frac{Q}{4πR}##
=##\frac{-1.6×10^-19×4πR^2}{4πR}##
=-1.6×10^-19×R
=-1.6×10^-19×64×10^5
=102.4×10^-14 V
It is also wrong,I want reason.
Thanks!
EDIT:I think I have got .There is something called"ε0".
gracy!
 
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So,just put ##ε0##in formula of ##E##And ##V##.Problem solved.
Solution:##E##=##\frac{Q}{4πε0R^2}##

=##\frac{-1.6×10^-19×4πR^2}{4πε0R^2}##

=##\frac{-1.6×10^-19}{8.854×10^-12}##

=-1.8×10^-8 volt/m

Solution:##V##=##\frac{Q}{4πε0R}##

=##\frac{-1.6×10^-19×4πR^2}{4πε0R}##

= ##\frac{ 1.6×10^-19×R}{ε0}##

=-##\frac{1.6×10^-19×64×10^5}{8.854×10^-12}##

=-0.116 volt
 
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gracy said:
Earth's field just outside Earth's surface
We can take r=R
Am I right here?
 
gracy said:
Am I right here?
Yes, that's fine. Technically it would be r = R + ε, where ε is an infinitesimal displacement so that you're just barely off the surface of the sphere. But R is so large by comparison that R + ε → R.
 
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