Four point charges, each of +q, are rigidly fixed at the four corners of a square planar soap film of side a. The surface tension of the soap film is $$\gamma$$. The system of charges and planar film are in equilibrium, and $$a = k{\left[ {{{{q^2}} \over \gamma }} \right]^{1/N}}$$, where k is a constant. Then N is __________.

A solid sphere of radius R has a charge Q distributed in its volume with a charge density $$\rho = K{r^a}$$, where K and a are constants and r is the distance from its centre. If the electric field at $$r = R/2$$ is 1/8 times than at $$r = R$$, find the value of $$a$$.