Very quick insulating sphere electric field question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field (E) around a charged insulating sphere with a diameter of 12.0 cm and a charge of -35 x 10^-6 C. The relevant formulas for electric fields inside and outside the sphere are provided: E = Q/4πΣσr^2 for outside and E = Qr/4πΣσR^3 for inside. The user correctly calculates the electric field just outside the paint layer as 8.74 x 10^7 N/C and identifies that the electric field inside the paint layer is 0, as per Gauss's Law. However, there is confusion regarding the calculation of the electric field 5.0 cm outside the surface, where the user initially calculates 1.26 x 10^8 N/C but is corrected to 2.60 x 10^7 N/C.

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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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