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An irregularly shaped solid with a volume of 2.0 mm3 carries a 3.0 nC charge that is uniformly distributed throughout the solid. If the farthest extent of the solid is 6.0 mm from the origin, what is the approximate electric field strength at 8.0 m from the origin

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If the point at which you are calculating the electric field is much farther from the charged solid than the dimensions of the solid itself, the irregularly shaped solid can be approximated as a point charge carrying the same amount of charge as the solid.

The electric field strength is given by:

E = kQ/r²

E = electric field strength, k = Coulomb constant, Q = charge, r = distance from solid

Given values:

k = 9×10⁹Nm²C⁻², Q = 3.0×10⁻⁹C, r = 8.0m

Plug in and solve for E:

E = 9×10⁹(3.0×10⁻⁹)/8.0²

E = 0.42N/C

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