A conducting sphere of radius R = 32 cm is given a charge Q = 16 μC. What is the electric field (E) at the center?

The electric field at the center of a charged conducting sphere is zero. This is because, in electrostatic equilibrium, charge distributes itself on the surface, leading to no electric field inside. Therefore, the electric field (E) at the center is 0 N/C.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-04

To determine the electric field (E) at the center of a conducting sphere, we need to understand a basic concept about electric fields and conductors.
When a conducting sphere is given a charge, the charge distributes itself uniformly on the surface of the sphere. According to Gauss's Law, the electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero. This includes the center of the sphere.
To apply this concept to your specific question:

Given Data:

Radius of the sphere, R = 32 cm = 0.32 m
Charge on the sphere, Q = 16 μ C = 16 × 1 0 − 6 C


Electric Field Inside a Conductor: For a conducting sphere, the electric field inside the sphere, including at the center, is always 0 N/C because the electric field within a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero.


Therefore, the electric field E at the center of the sphere is:
E = 0 N/C
This result is due to the nature of conductors and how charges reside on their surfaces in equilibrium, preventing any electric field from existing inside the sphere.

Answered by IsabellaRoseDavis | 2025-07-06