Question

Suppose 2 C of positive charge is distributed evenly throughout a sphere of 1.27 cm radius. (a) What is the charge per unit volume for this situation? C/m3 (b) Is the sphere insulating or conducting? How do you know? The sphere is conducting. If it were insulating, none of the charge would be in the interior of the sphere; it would only be on the surface. The sphere is insulating. If it were conducting, none of the charge would be in the interior of the sphere; it would only be on the surface. The sphere is conducting. If it were insulating, all of the charge would be in the interior of the sphere; not on the surface. The sphere is insulating. If it were conducting, all of the charge would be in the interior of the sphere; not on the surface.

Answer 1

a) ρ = 2.33 10⁵ C / m³, b) INSULATING

Step-by-step explanation:

a) For this exercise we use the important concept of density

ρ = Q / V

The volume of a sphere is

V = 4/3 πr3

V = 4/3 π (1.27 10⁻²)³

V = 8.58 10⁻⁶ m³

let's calculate

ρ = 2 / 8.58 10⁻⁶

ρ = 2.33 10⁵ C / m³

b) in a conductor the charges are mobile, therefore due to electoral repulsion all the charges must concentrate on the surface.

In an insulator the charges are fixed, therefore they are distributed throughout the volume

Consequently the sphere must be INSULATING