What is the electric field 3.9 m from the center of the terminal of a Van de Graaff with a 6.60 mC charge, noting that the field is equivalent to that of a point charge at the center of the terminal

the electric field is  3.91 x 10⁶ N/C

Explanation:

Given the data in the question;

Electric field at a point due to point charge is;

E = kq/r²

where k is the constant, r is the distance from centre of terminal to point where electric field is, q is the excess charge placed on the centre of terminal of Van de Graff,a generator

Now, given that r = 3.9 m, k = 9.0 x 10⁹ Nm²/C², q = 6.60 mC = 6.60 x 10⁻³ C

so we substitute into the formula

E = [(9.0 x 10⁹ Nm²/C²)( 6.60 x 10⁻³ C)] / ( 3.9 )²

E = 59400000 / 15.21

E = 3.91 x 10⁶ N/C

Therefore, the electric field is  3.91 x 10⁶ N/C

hypothesising or postulating

scattering of light by tiny particles in air to produce the colors we see on sky, is dependent on the following factors:

(i) wavelength of light

(ii) size of the scattering particle  

(iii) distance traveled by light through the atmosphere.

according to rayleigh's law of scattering, the amount of scattering is inversely proportional to the fourth power of its wavelength. shorter the wavelength, greater is its scattering. hence violet/blue light is scattered more than red.

sun's light is a composite light ( visible light) with wavelengths in the range 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red). as sunlight passes through our atmosphere, the molecules of air scatter light according to their wavelengths. during sunrise and sunset, the sun's position is below the horizon. hence light from the sun travels a greater distance in the atmosphere when compared to its position a noon.

as sunlight enters the earth's atmosphere, blue light is scattered away and at the end of its journey in the sky, only red and orange wavelengths remain in the beam.

hence at sunrise and sunset, the sky appears reddish orange.