Number of Electrons on Sphere: Can't Figure It Out?

[the_d]

I have a question that i can't figure out, if a sphere is charged with electrons to -1 x 10^-5 C. The charge of an electron is -1.6 x 10^-19 C. How many electrons are there on the sphere?

I simply divided the electron charge by the charge of the sphere but it says I'm wrong. Is the problem me or the computer?

 

[inha]

That's how you're supposed to do it. You should get something like 6 times 10^13.

 

[quicknote]

I can understand your confusion and frustration with this problem. It is important to always double check our calculations and methods when trying to solve a scientific question. In this case, it is likely that the issue lies with the units being used. The charge of an electron is typically measured in coulombs (C), while the charge of the sphere is given in microcoulombs (µC). Therefore, when dividing the two values, we need to convert the charge of the sphere to coulombs by multiplying it by 10^-6. This would give us a total of 6.25 x 10^13 electrons on the sphere, which is a much more reasonable and accurate answer. I would suggest checking your units and calculations again to ensure they are correct. If you continue to have trouble, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from a colleague or a mentor. Science is all about collaboration and learning from each other.