In: Chemistry
Two 2.0-cm-diameter insulating spheres have a 7.00 cm space between them. One sphere is charged to + 70.0 nC , the other to - 79.0 nC . Part A What is the electric field strength at the midpoint between the two spheres? Express your answer with the appropriate units.
Given:
diameter of spheres d = 2.0cm
radius of the spheres r = d/2
= 1cm
= 1*10^-2 m
charge on sphere 1 q1 = 70*10^-9 C
charge on sphere 2 q2 = -79 *10^-9 C
distance between the spheres d = 7.00*10^-2 m
midpoint p
=3.50*10^-2 m
Electric field strength due to sphere1 at point p
total distance to point p = (3.50*10^-2)+ 1*10^-2
=4.5*10^-2 m
Electric field E1 = kq1/r^2.......(1)
= (9*10^9)(70*10^-9)/(4.5*10^-2)^2
= 31.1*104N/C
Electric field strength due to sphere 2 at point p
total distance to point p = (3.5*10^-2)+ 1*10^-2
= 4.5*10^-2 m
Electric field E2 = kq2/r^2.......(1)
= (9*10^9)(79*10^-9)/(4.5*10^-2)^2
= 35.1*104 N/C
total electric field strength at point p E = E1+E2
= 66.2*104N/C
˜66.2*104N/C