Question

Human nerve cells have a net negative charge and the material in the interior of the cell is a good conductor. If a cell has a net charge of -8.65 pC, what are the magnitude and direction (inward or outward) of the net flux through the cell boundary? What is the charge density passing through the cell? Assume that the portion of the cell in question is spherical.

Answer 1

The net flux through the cell boundary is inward and has a magnitude of 8.65 pC. The charge density passing through the cell can be calculated using the net charge and the surface area of the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net flux through the cell boundary can be determined by considering the charge and the electric field across the cell membrane. Since the net charge of the cell is -8.65 pC, the magnitude of the net flux is also 8.65 pC, as the negative sign indicates an inward flux. The charge density passing through the cell can be calculated by dividing the net charge by the surface area of the cell, which is given by 4πr^2 for a spherical cell.

Let's calculate:

Net flux = -8.65 pC (inward)

Charge density = -8.65 pC / (4πr^2)