Electric Potential of Uniformly Charged Sphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric potential of a nonconductive sphere with a radius of 2.31 cm and a uniformly distributed charge of 3.5 fC. The electric potential at the center is set to V=0, and the task is to determine V at radial distances of 1.45 cm and 2.31 cm. The initial attempt used the formula E=kqr/R^3, but the user encountered discrepancies in their results, indicating a misunderstanding of the relationship between electric field and potential, specifically the incorrect application of the equation V=E*ds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss' Law
  • Familiarity with electric potential and electric field concepts
  • Knowledge of calculus for evaluating integrals
  • Basic principles of electrostatics
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of electric potential from electric field using integration
  • Study the application of Gauss' Law for nonconductive spheres
  • Learn about the relationship between electric field and potential difference
  • Practice problems involving uniformly charged spheres and their electric fields
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Students studying electrostatics, physics educators, and anyone seeking to understand electric potential in the context of charged objects.

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Homework Statement


A nonconductive sphere has radius R=2.31 cm and uniformly distributed charge q==3.5 fC. Take the electric potential at the sphere's center to be V=0. What is V at the radical distance r=1.45cm and at r=2.31 cm


Homework Equations


Gauss' Law
V=E*ds


The Attempt at a Solution


E=kqr/R^3
then V=E*ds
I keep getting an answer that is 20 times smaller then the actual.


 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your second equation "V=E*ds" is not correct. The RHS is a differential element, while the LHS is not. Besides, what is "s"?

Please show your work more explicitly. With what you've shown so far, there is no way one can tell you exactly where your error is.
 

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