Solving for Electric Field Strength & Direction of Charged Sphere

Therefore, in summary, the strength of the electric field that will balance the weight of the charged plastic sphere is 3x10^6 N/C and the direction is upwards.
  • #1
Lydia22
34
0

Homework Statement



What are the strength and direction of an electric field that will balance the weight of a 1.0g plastic sphere that has been charged t0 -3nC ?


Homework Equations


E= F/q



The Attempt at a Solution



Newton's laws on the charged sphere

ƩFnet(y) = F -mg=0
F=mg\
F=qE
E = mg/q
=[(0.003kg)(9.8m/s^2)]/(3.0x10^-9C)
=3x10^6 N/c
how do i conclude on the direction?
 
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  • #2
Hi Lydia22! :smile:

You have already used what the direction must be.
So you only have to make your conclusion explicit.

In your first line you have ƩFnet(y) = F -mg=0, which is the condition for the sphere to be in balance.
This implies that the electric force is equal and opposite to the force of gravity.
Since q is positive, that also holds true for the electric field.
 

1. What is the formula for calculating the electric field strength of a charged sphere?

The formula for calculating the electric field strength of a charged sphere is E = kQ/r^2, where k is the Coulomb's constant (9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), Q is the charge of the sphere, and r is the distance from the center of the sphere.

2. How do you determine the direction of the electric field of a charged sphere?

The direction of the electric field of a charged sphere is radially outward from the center of the sphere if it is positively charged, and radially inward if it is negatively charged.

3. Can the electric field of a charged sphere be zero?

Yes, the electric field of a charged sphere can be zero at the center of the sphere. This is because the electric field is dependent on the distance from the center, and at the center, the distance is zero.

4. What is the difference between electric field strength and electric potential of a charged sphere?

Electric field strength is a measure of the force per unit charge that a charged sphere exerts on another charged particle, while electric potential is a measure of the energy per unit charge that a charged sphere possesses. In simpler terms, electric field strength is a measure of the intensity of the electric field, while electric potential is a measure of the potential energy of the charged sphere.

5. How does the electric field strength of a charged sphere change with distance from the center?

The electric field strength of a charged sphere decreases as the distance from the center of the sphere increases. This is because the electric field is spread out over a larger area, resulting in a weaker overall field strength. Additionally, the formula for electric field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, so as the distance increases, the electric field strength decreases even more rapidly.

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