Two identical droplets of water.... [Potential]

[Antonius]

Homework Statement

Suppose you have two identical droplets of water, each carrying charge 7.92 pC spread uniformly through their volume. The potential on the surface of each is 144 Volts.

Now, you merge the two drops, forming one spherical droplet of water. If no charge is lost, find the potential at the surface of this new large water droplet. in V.

Homework Equations

I don't have any equations since it's "water droplet" with no specified shape.

General formula for potential due to a single point charge is V = kq/r

The Attempt at a Solution

Is this question easy or tricky? Shouldn't the answer be 144 + 144 = 288 V? Due to conservation of charges?

 

[mfb]

I don't have any equations since it's "water droplet" with no specified shape.

Which shape do you expect for a droplet without contact to anything else?
What is the potential from such an object?

Is this question easy or tricky?

It is not tricky, but it is not as easy as adding two numbers.

Due to conservation of charges?

Charge is conserved, but that does not mean you can just add potentials.

 

[rude man]

The new droplet of water has what radius, assuming sphericity? What total charge? Ergo, what potential?