Power lines from an electrically charged ball

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the total number of electric field power lines, N, that extrude from a conductive ball with a diameter of 0.4 meters and a surface charge density of 8 micro-coulombs per square meter. The relevant equations include the electric field near a conductor and the definition of power lines, leading to the formula N = A · σ. The area, A, is calculated as 4π times the radius squared, resulting in N being expressed in terms of the charge density. The initial calculation yields N = 1.6E-5 lines, but the expected result is N = 4E-6 lines, indicating a discrepancy in the calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the formulas to arrive at the accurate number of electric field lines.
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Homework Statement


A conductive ball of diameter 0.4 [m] is charged equally with a concentration of \sigma=8 [micro-coulon/m^2].
What's the total number of electric field power lines, N, that extrude from the ball

Homework Equations


The electric field near a conductor is like in a capacitor:
##E=\frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}##
Definition of power lines:
##\frac{N}{A}=\varepsilon_0 E##

The Attempt at a Solution


##N=A\cdot \varepsilon_0 \cdot E=\frac{A\cdot\varepsilon_0\cdot\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}=A\cdot \sigma##
##N=4\pi\cdot 0.4[m]^2\cdot 8E-6[Coulon]=1.6E-5[lines]##
It should be N=4E-6[lines]
 
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