Question

Problem 18.77: Potential in human cells.

Some cell walls in the human body have a layer of negative charge on the inside surface and a layer of positive charge of equal magnitude on the outside surface. Suppose that the charge density on either surface is ± 0.50×10−3 C/m2, the cell wall is 5.0 nm thick, and the cell-wall material is air.

Part A Find the magnitude of E⃗ in the wall between the two layers of charge. Express your answer using two significant figures.

Part B Find the potential difference between the inside and the outside of the cell. Express your answer using two significant figures

Part C Which wall of the cell is at the higher potential? Which wall of the cell is at the higher potential? the outer wall the inner wall

Part D A typical cell in the human body has a volume of 10−16m3 . Estimate the total electric-field energy stored in the wall of a cell of this size. (Hint: Assume that the cell is spherical, and calculate the volume of the cell wall.) Express your answer using two significant figures.

Part E In reality, the cell wall is made up, not of air, but of tissue with a dielectric constant of 5.3. Repeat part A in this case. Express your answer using two significant figures. E = V/m SubmitRequest Answer Part F In reality, the cell wall is made up, not of air, but of tissue with a dielectric constant of 5.3. Repeat part B in this case.

Please explain how you get to these answers, I'm struggling with my understanding in this class!

Answer 1