Change in electric potential energy

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The discussion revolves around calculating the change in electric potential energy when a charged conducting tire shrinks in radius. The initial potential on the tire's surface is 1.35 kV, and after shrinking to a radius of 10.5 cm, the potential increases to 4.19 kV. The formula used for the change in electric potential energy is ΔU = q(ΔV), where q is the charge and ΔV is the change in potential. The user calculated ΔU as 1.4e-4 J but found the result unsatisfactory. Assistance is requested to resolve the discrepancy in the calculation.
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Homework Statement



A tire of radius 32.5 cm has a surface that is conducting. A charge of 4.89×10-8 C is then placed on the surface. The potential on the balloon's surface is 1.35E+03 V. Later, suppose that some of the air is let out of the tire, so that the radius shrinks to 10.5 cm, the new potential on the balloon's surface is 4.19E+03 V.

What is the change in electrical potential energy during the shrinking process?

Homework Equations



Change in electric potential energy = q (change in electric potential)

The Attempt at a Solution



\DeltaU = q(\DeltaV) = (4.89e-8C)(4190J/C-1350J/C) = 1.4e-4 J

But that doesn't work.
 
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anyone have a clue, or a hint
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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