When two conducting spheres are connected by a wire, charge flows until their potentials become equal.
V1=V2
R1kQ1=R2kQ2
The electric field on the surface of a conducting sphere is given by E=R2kQ, which can be written as E=RV.
Since V1=V2, we have:
ES1R1=ES2R2
ES2ES1=R1R2
Given R1=8 cm and R2=18 cm:
ES2ES1=818=49
Answer: 49