Final answer:
The electric potential near the surface of a Van de Graaff generator with a 1.99-meter-diameter metal sphere and a charge of 5.25mC is calculated using Coulomb's constant and the radius of the sphere, resulting in a potential of 47.3 MV.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electric Potential of a Van de Graaff Generator
The question involves a research Van de Graaff generator with a 1.99-meter-diameter metal sphere and a charge of 5.25mC on it. To find the electric potential near its surface, the formula V = kQ/r can be used, where V is the potential, k is Coulomb's constant (8.99 × 109 N·m2/C2), Q is the charge on the sphere, and r is the radius of the sphere.
Given that the sphere has a diameter of 1.99 meters, its radius is 0.995 meters. Plugging in the values, we get V = (8.99 × 109 × 5.25 × 10−3) / 0.995 = 4.73 × 107 V or 47.3 MV. Therefore, the potential near the surface of the metal sphere is 47.3 MV.