Electric fields of a hallow ball

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the electric field generated by a hollow ball with a negative charge, specifically at two locations: one inside the sphere and one outside. The context is rooted in electrostatics and the behavior of electric fields in relation to charged objects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the electric field at location A, questioning whether it is zero due to the insulating properties of the ball. There is also consideration of the electric field at location B and the polarization of a hydrogen atom at location A.

Discussion Status

Some participants express uncertainty about the electric field inside the sphere, while others affirm the calculated value at location B. There is an ongoing exploration of the effects of charge distribution and the behavior of atoms in an electric field.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the properties of insulators and the implications for electric fields within and outside the hollow sphere. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations regarding the behavior of electric fields in this specific scenario.

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Homework Statement



A hollow ball of radius 5 cm, made of very thin glass, is rubbed all over with a silk cloth and acquires a negative charge of -9.5e-08 C which is uniformly distributed all over its surface. Location A, shown in the diagram, is inside the sphere, 1 cm from the surface. Location B, shown in the diagram, is outside the sphere, 2 cm from the surface. There are no other charged objects nearby.
Which of the following statements about Eball, the magnitude of the electric field due to the ball, are correct? Select all that apply.

1. At location A Eball is 0 N/C.
2. At location B Eball is 2.14 x10^6 N/C.
3.A hydrogen atom at location A would polarize because it is close to the negative charges on the surface of the sphere.
4.All of the charges on the surface of the sphere contribute to Eball at location A.


Homework Equations


(1/4*pi*epsilon)*Q/R^2


The Attempt at a Solution


So i checked at point B that the it is ~2.14 x10^6 N/C. I thought that inside the sphere the electric field is 0, but its an insulator so that means its not. And I am guessing that all of the charges contribute to Eball at location A?

is that looking correct?
 
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Ill go through my thoughts again for each answer:

1. I do not believe that at point A the E of the ball is 0. (Location A is inside the sphere) This is because in an insulator even though the charge on the outside is uniformly distributed, the A is not in the center.

2. That is correct, the location at B is 2.14, according to the numbers given uptop

3.I believe if you placed a hydrogen atom at location A it would polarize because on an insulator there are not free ions to move around so the electron cloud on the atom would move, polarizing it.

4. Yes I do believe that all of the charges on the surface of the sphere act on the location A inside the sphere. And this is why it is cause to not have a field of 0

so, No, Yes, Yes, no, does anyone know if I'm correct, or at least on the right track?
 
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