# Spherical Conductor

## Homework Statement

A Spherical conductor has an Electric field near its surface of 180 volts per inch.
How much charge (in Coulombs) is on the sphere ?
How many excess electrons are on the sphere?
Will the air around the sphere break down and produce an arc ?

## Homework Equations

Well, I assume Gauss Law is going to be used

E= Ke ( q / r2)

isolated sphere:
C = 4πε₀r in Farads
ε₀ is 8.8542e-12 F/m
r is radius in m

## The Attempt at a Solution

Well, I haven't really been able to start getting anywhere with it, but a few things I know.

That once I am able to determine the total charge of the Sphere, I will be able to calculate the amount of excess electrons with simple math.

It seems to me that we would need to know the size of the sphere in this situation.

## Answers and Replies

lightgrav
Homework Helper
well, you can answer #3 already, because the E-field is given.
You're right that the _numerical_ answer to #1 will depend on the size of the ball.
They might want you to derive a _formula_ for Q , as a function of R ;
Physics 2 questions do this a LOT more often than Physics 1 questions .
on the other hand, that would make #2 quite peculiar.

I wrote the question exactly as it reads.

I dont understand what I can really do only given one known value.

Anyone have any suggestions ?

lightgrav
Homework Helper
Yes, use Gauss! convert units to V/m , and obtain Q as a function of R .
then answer #3 .
skip #2 , unless you want to email your instructor and ask what the sphere radius is.

Ok, so I converted 180 Volts/in and came out with 7086.61 Volt/meter.

7086.61 = 8.99x109 ( q / r2) ?

Do I know what q is ?

I think ive confused myself.

lightgrav
Homework Helper
Gauss' Law situations typically yield a _surface_charge_density_ "sigma".
When your teacher tells you the radius, then you tell them |Q| .
When your teacher tells you the DIRECTION of the Electric field,
you can tell them the SIGN of the charge ... right?
If you know Q , do you know how to get the number of excess electrons?

Is there a diagram with this question, showing the size R and direction of E ?

No, there is no diagram along with it. It reads exactly how I wrote the original question.

lightgrav
Homework Helper
It is INCOMPLETE, then . Quit wasting time on it.

do you know the answer to part#3 ? if so, move on.

The problem is, that it is a take home test and he said we were allowed to use any external source we want.

I emailed another person in my class to see if he is having the same problem.