Electric field just beyond surface of proton

[winterwind]

Homework Statement

If a proton is considered a uniform ball of charge of radius 1.0x10-15m, what is the
electric field just beyond its surface?

Homework Equations

Gauss's law?

The Attempt at a Solution

I followed a problem in the book that found an equation for the electric field of a uniformly charged sphere. I treated the proton as a uniform sphere of charge, so that the same equation could be applied.

The equation was E = (1/4piE0)(Q/r^2)

*E0 is constant 8.85 x 10^-12.

So I just plugged in charge of electron and radius r of the proton.

 

[Kurdt]

That looks fine. The result can of course be derived from Gauss' law. Remember that a proton has the same magnitude of charge as an electron but different sign.

 

[thomate1]

E = (1/4pi(8.85 x 10^-12))(1.6 x 10^-19 / (1.0 x 10^-15)^2)

E = 1.44 x 10^27 N/C

This value is extremely high and does not make sense. I think there may be an error in the book or in my calculation. I will double check my work and consult with my colleagues to see if they have any insights. It is also possible that the assumption of a uniform ball of charge for a proton is not accurate and may need to be reconsidered. Further research and experimentation may be needed to accurately determine the electric field just beyond the surface of a proton.