Question

A .2g sphere is suspended by a thread in an electreic field of 5000 N/C that is directed straight up. The tension in the string is 2.3 x 10^-3 N. Determine the charge on the shpere.

Answer 1

6.8*10^-8C

Step-by-step explanation:

The formula for calculating the Electric field on the sphere is expressed as;

E = Sum of force on the sphere/charge q

q is the charge on the sphere

E is the electric field

Given

E = 5000N/C

T = 2.3 x 10^-3 N.

q = ?

W = 0.0002 * 9.8

W = 0.00196N

W = 1.96*10^-3N

From the formula;

q = T-W/E

W is the weight of the sphere

T is the tension in the string

q = (2.3*10^-3 - 1.96 x 10^-3)/5000

q = 0.00034/5000

q = 6.8*10^-8C

Hence the charge on the sphere is 6.8*10^-8C