A point charge of +3.00 µC is located on the x-axis at x = 3.50 m, next to a spherical surface of radius 2.50 m centered at the origin.

(a) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at x = 2.50 m

(b) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at x = -2.50 m.

(c) According to Gauss's law, the net flux through the sphere is zero because it contains no charge. Yet the field due to the external charge is much stronger on the near side of the sphere (i.e., at x = 2.50 m) than on the far side (at x = -2.50 m). How, then, can the flux into the sphere (on the near side) equal the flux out of it (on the far side)? Explain.