There is an electric field near the Earth's surface whose magnitude is about 145 V/m. How much energy is stored per cubic meter in this field? Express your answer using two significant figures.

u_e = 9.3 * 10^-8 J / m^3 (2 sig. fig)

Explanation:

Given:

- Electric Field strength near earth's surface E = 145 V / m

- permittivity of free space (electric constant) e_o = 8.854 * 10^-12 s^4 A^2 / m^3 kg

Find:

- How much energy is stored per cubic meter in this field?

Solution:

- The solution requires the energy density stored between earth's surface and the source of electric field strength. The formula for charge density is given by:

u_e = 0.5*e_o * E^2

- Plug in the values given:

u_e = 0.5*8.854 * 10^-12 * 145^2

u_e = 9.30777 * 10^-8 J/m^3