Question

As a space shuttle moves through the dilute ionized gas of Earth's ionosphere, the shuttle's potential is typically changed by -1.4 V during one revolution. Assuming the shuttle is a conducting sphere of radius 15 m, estimate the amount of charge it collects.

Answer 1

-2.3 × 10^-9 Coulombs(C).

Step-by-step explanation:

So, we are given the following data or information or parameters that is going to help us to solve the problem effectively and efficiently;

=> " the shuttle's potential is typically changed by -1.4 V during one revolution. "

=> " Assuming the shuttle is a conducting sphere of radius 15 m".

So, in order to estimate the value for the charge we will be making use of the equation below:

Charge, C =( radius × voltage or potential difference) ÷ Coulomb's law constant.

Note that the value of Coulomb's law constant = 9 x 10^9 Nm^2 / C^2.

So, charge = { 15 × (- 1.4)} / 9 x 10^9 Nm^2 / C^2.

= -2.3 × 10^-9 Coulombs(C).