Gauss' Law: Net Electric Field of Two Spheres

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the net electric field at a specific point due to two nonconducting spheres with given surface charge densities and positions along the x-axis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the spheres being nonconducting and the effects of their respective electric fields at the point of interest. There is a consideration of the electric field inside and outside the spheres.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the effects of both spheres on the electric field at the specified location, while others are confirming their understanding of the principles involved. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the spheres' charge distributions and the specific location of interest relative to the spheres. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the contributions of each sphere to the net electric field.

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Homework Statement


Two nonconducting spheres, of r1=3.0cm and r2=2.0cm, are placed of an x-axis. They have surface charge densities of +6.0mC/m2 and +4.0 mC/m2, respectively, on their outside surfaces. The center of sphere r1 is on the origin and the center of sphere r2 is 10 cm away. What is the net electric field at x=2.0 cm?



Homework Equations


E=kq/r2
Area=4pir2

The Attempt at a Solution


I noticed that x=2.0cm falls inside sphere r1 and that the Electric Field inside a sphere due to an outside charge equals 0. I think this is the answer but want to be sure.
 
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I do not think so! because they are non conducting spheres... so we can not ignore the effect of the second sphere, I guess! i will look it up more though...
 
The field inside a uniformly charged sphere is zero (the field of THIS sphere vanishes), but the field outside a uniformly charged sphere is the same as if all the charge was at its center (we can treat it like a point-charge on most regards)... You should get your answer easily!
 
Yeah I tried that before you told me and it was pretty easy and good to know the way i thought was right. I got -3.10x10^3 N/C because of the direction of the field
 

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