The earth has a vertical electric field at the surface, pointing down, that averages 100 N/C. This field is maintained by variou
s atmospheric processes, including lightning. If research came out on Planet x in a distant solar system that had a electric field with strength 222 N/C and 0.6 the radius of the earth, what would be the excess charge on planet x
To solve this exercise, let's use one of the consequences of Gauss's law, that all the charge on a body can be considered at its center, therefore we calculate the electric field on the surface of a sphere with the radius of the Earth
r = 6 , 37 106 m
E = k q / r²
q = E r² / k
q =
q = 4.5 10⁵ C
Now let's calculate the charge on the planet with E = 222 N / c and radius
Enceladus is a small, icy body with an undergound ocean beneath its crust. Cassini discovered that geyser-like jets spew water vapor and ice particles. It is also the sixth largest moon in Saturn and just about a tenth of the largest moon in Saturn; Titan. It is often regarded as one of the most reflective body in the solar system as a result of its icy surface.
