Very quick insulating sphere electric field question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field of a charged insulating sphere using standard formulas. The participant successfully calculated the electric field just outside the paint layer as 8.74*10^7 N/C and confirmed that the electric field just inside is 0, according to Gauss's Law. However, there was confusion regarding the calculation for the electric field 5.00 cm outside the surface, where the participant initially obtained 1.26*10^8 N/C instead of the correct answer of 2.60*10^7 N/C. Clarifications were made about the appropriate formulas to use for different regions of the sphere. The thread highlights the importance of correctly applying the equations for accurate electric field calculations.
binbagsss
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Given the standard formulas of an insulating sphere, inside and outside respectively:

[1] Q/4πΣσr^2
[2] Qr/4πΣσR^3

- where R referes to the radius of the solid insulating sphere.

Charged paint is spread in a very thin uniform layer over the surface of a plastic sphere o diameter 12.0cm, gicing it a charge of -35*10^-6C, Find E:
a) just outside the paint layer?
b) just inside the paint layer?
c) 5.00cm outside the surface of the paint layer?

My Attempt:

a) just outside: Using [1] with r=6.0cm and Q = -35*10^-6 , I obtain 8.74*10^7N/C , is the correct answer
b) just inside: E = 0 (From Gauss's Law)
c) just outside: Using [1] with r = 5.0cm and R = 6.0cm, I obtain 1.26*10^8N/C, however the correct answer is 2.60*10^7N/C

If anyone could point my in the right direction for c, greatly appreciated, ta =]
 
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binbagsss said:
Given the standard formulas of an insulating sphere, inside and outside respectively:

[1] Q/4πΣσr^2
[2] Qr/4πΣσR^3

- where R referes to the radius of the solid insulating sphere.
Um, that should be outside and inside respectively because the first equation is for outside and the second equation is for inside.

binbagsss said:
c) just outside: Using [1] with r = 5.0cm and R = 6.0cm, I obtain 1.26*10^8N/C, however the correct answer is 2.60*10^7N/C
Yes, you should be using equation 1, but since you've mentioned R, I'm guessing you actually used equation 2?
 
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