Question

To give an idea of sensitivity of the platypus's electric sense, how far from a 80nC n C point charge does the field have this magnitude

Answer 1

The question is incomplete. The complete question is :

A platypus foraging for prey can detect an electric field as small as 0.002 N/C.

-To give an idea of sensitivity of the platypus's electric sense, how far from a +80nC point charge does the field have this magnitude?

Solution :

Given electric field, E = 0.002 N/C

Charge, Q = + 80 nC

`$\therefore E = (kQ)/(R^2) $`

or
`$R^2=(kQ)/(E)$`

`$R^2=(9* 10^9 * 80 * 10^(-9))/(0.002)$`

R = 600 m

This is the distance of the charge from the point of observations.