Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electric Field
The electric field is a vector field that represents the force exerted by an electric charge on other charges in its vicinity. It is defined as the force per unit charge and is measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C). The direction of the electric field is away from positive charges and towards negative charges, indicating the direction a positive test charge would move.
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Gauss's Law
Gauss's Law relates the electric field over a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface. Mathematically, it states that the electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to the enclosed charge. This principle is particularly useful for calculating electric fields in symmetric charge distributions, such as spherical surfaces.
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Conductors and Insulators
Conductors are materials that allow electric charges to flow freely, while insulators restrict the movement of charges. In the context of the question, the plastic sphere acts as an insulator, meaning that the charge resides on its surface and does not affect the electric field inside the sphere. This distinction is crucial for understanding how charges distribute themselves in different materials.
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Electric Fields in Conductors