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A conducting sphere of radius 10 cm has an unknown charge. If the electric field 20 cm from the centre of the sphere is 1.5×10³ N/C and points radially inward, what is the net charge on the sphere?

Asked in GSEB Board August 2020 · Shell and uniform solid sphere

Answer: (3) -6.68 nC

Step-by-step solution

Given: R=0.10 m; at r=0.20 m from the centre, E=1.5×10³ N/C, pointing inward.

Idea: outside a charged sphere the field is the same as if all its charge sat at the centre, E=1/(4πε₀)(|q|)/(r²). The point is outside (r>R), so this applies.

|q|=4πε₀Er²=(1.113×10⁻¹⁰)(1.5×10³)(0.20)²

|q|=6.68×10⁻⁹ C=6.68 nC

The field points inward, towards the sphere, so the charge is negative.

q=-6.68 nC

Why the other options are wrong

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