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Physics 18 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

What is the strength of an electric field that will balance the weight of a 8.2 g plastic sphere that has been charged to -3.3 nC? Answer in N/C. Approach: I know that the forces need to balance out, and that F=mg (mass*gravity) and that F=q*E (charge* electric field). mg=qE E=mg/q Plugging in the numbers: m = 8.2*10^-3 kg q = -3.3*10^-9 C g = 9.8*10^-3 N/g And I get -24351.5152, but it's wrong. I know there is some error with the units, could someone show me what I am doing wrong?

OpenStudy (stormfire1):

I'm getting a different order of magnitude:\[(0.0082kg)(9.8 m/s^2)=(-3.3x10^{-9}C)E\]\[E=-2.44 x 10^7\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks, I was messing up the order of magnitude of g.

OpenStudy (stormfire1):

Yes, that's what I was just looking at. Well good luck :)

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