Two spheres, solve for electric field strength

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves calculating the electric field strength at the midpoint between two charged insulating spheres, one with a charge of +89.0 nC and the other with -95.0 nC, separated by a 6.50 cm gap. The relevant formula for the electric field due to a sphere is Esphere = KQ/r^2, where K is Coulomb's constant. Initial attempts yielded incorrect results due to miscalculations and misunderstanding of the distances involved. After correcting the calculations, the final electric field strength at the midpoint was determined to be 9.16 * 10^5 N/C. Accurate distance measurements and careful calculations are crucial for solving such problems.
axgalloway
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Homework Statement


Two 2.0-cm-diameter insulating spheres have a 6.50 cm space between them. One sphere is charged to + 89.0 nC, the other to - 95.0 nC.

What is the electric field strength at the midpoint between the two spheres?


Homework Equations


Esphere = KQ/r^2
k = 8.99 * 10^9

The Attempt at a Solution



Esphere1 + Esphere2 = Etotal

(k*89*10^-9) / (3.25*10^-2)^2 + (k*95*10^-9) / (3.25*10^-2)^2
= Wrong answer: 1.57*10^6 N/C
 
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Nasty tricky wording!
Carefully sketch the spheres and mark all the distances clearly.
Remember the wording on that force formula: "distance between the centers of the charges".
 
Here was my 2nd attempt at a solution
Esphere1 + Esphere2 = Etotal

(k*89*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2 + (k*95*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2
= Wrong answer: 4.58*10^6 N/C
 
axgalloway said:
Here was my 2nd attempt at a solution
Esphere1 + Esphere2 = Etotal

(k*89*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2 + (k*95*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2
= Wrong answer: 4.58*10^6 N/C
Actually, that solution is a calculator error.
Here was my 3rd attempt at a solution (pressing the calculator correctly this time)
Esphere1 + Esphere2 = Etotal

(k*89*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2 + (k*95*10^-9) / (4.25*10^-2)^2
Correct answer = 9.16 * 10^5 N/C

Thanks for the help.
 
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