How to find energy stored between two spheres?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the stored energy between two concentric spherical conductors, where the inner sphere has a radius of 7.00 mm and a surface charge density of 9.00 μC/mm². The calculations involve using the capacitance formula C=4(pi)(Epsilon_0)((R_a*R_b)/(R_a-R_b)) and the energy formula U=0.5(Q²/C). The final computed energy value is 2.504e-4 kJ, which does not match any of the provided answer choices, indicating a potential error in unit conversion or calculation. The correct charge density and dimensions were confirmed to be in standard units.

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Homework Statement


A spherical conductor of radius 7.00 mm carries a surface charge density of 9.00 μC/mm2. A second hollow, concentric, spherical conductor has an inner radius of 7.09 mm. How much stored energy is there between the spheres?


Homework Equations


C=Q/V
A=4pi(r^2)
C=4(pi)(Epsilon_0)((R_a*R_b)/(R_a-R_b))
surface charge density = Q/A
U=.5*Q^2/C=.5*C*V^2=.5QV


The Attempt at a Solution


I keep getting 2.5o4e^-4 kJ but it isn't one of the answer choices. There is a 250 kJ, but that makes me off by a factor of 1 million...
Here are the answer choices:
A) 16kJ B) 1000kJ C) 6.4kJ D) 250kJ
Thank you very much!
 
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Your charge density is in charge/mm^2 and the dimensions of the sphere are in mm. Do you have Epsilon_0 in the right units or did you convert mm above to m?
 
Yes, I did convert everything to standard units.
R_a=.00709m
R_b=.007m
σ=.009 coulombs/m^2

C=Q/V_ba=4(pi)(Epsilon_0)((R_a*R_b)/R_a-R_b))=6.1327e-11F

Surface area of inner sphere =4(pi)(.007^2)=6.1575e-4m2
σ=Q/A so Q=5.5418e-6

U=.5(Q^2/C)=.5((5.5418e-6)^2)/6.1327e-11)=2.504e-4 kJ
in kJ because that's what the answer choices are in.
 

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