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Physics: Expression For Spherical Capacitor

The document discusses spherical and cylindrical capacitors. It provides the expressions for calculating the capacitance of a spherical capacitor consisting of two concentric spherical conductors. It also derives the expression for calculating the capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor consisting of two concentric hollow cylinders. It then provides examples calculating capacitance values for different spherical and cylindrical capacitor configurations using the derived expressions.

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Chique Ann Maala
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372 views5 pages

Physics: Expression For Spherical Capacitor

The document discusses spherical and cylindrical capacitors. It provides the expressions for calculating the capacitance of a spherical capacitor consisting of two concentric spherical conductors. It also derives the expression for calculating the capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor consisting of two concentric hollow cylinders. It then provides examples calculating capacitance values for different spherical and cylindrical capacitor configurations using the derived expressions.

Uploaded by

Chique Ann Maala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICS

Lecture Notes 27 04.05.2020

Expression for Spherical Capacitor

A spherical capacitor consisting of two concentric spherical conductors,


held in position by suitable insulating supports.

We know that the electric field between r1 and r2 is only due to charge –Q
on the inner spherical shell.
The uniform charge on the outer sphere produces zero electric field inside
the sphere.
So, the net electric field at distance r from the centre is given with direction
radially inward because it is due to negative charge,

From the definition of capacitance,


Expression for Cylindrical Capacitor

A cylindrical capacitor consists of a hollow or a solid cylindrical conductor


surrounded by another concentric hollow spherical cylinder. The capacitance
of a cylindrical capacitor can be derived as:
By Gauss law charge enclosed by gaussian cylinder of radius r and length L is
q=ϵoEA

q=ϵoE(2πrL)

∴E=q/2πϵorL

V=−∫Edr

V=−

V= But C=q / V

C=
Solved Examples
1. The capacitance of a spherical condenser is 1µF . If the spacing between
the two spheres is 1mm, then the radius of the outer sphere is

Given : (b – a) = 1 × 10–3m ..... (i)


 ab −6
and C = 4πε 0  b − a  = 1 × 10
 
b a
−6 1  ab 
⇒ 1 × 10 = 9 × 109  10−3 

⇒ ab = 9 ..... (ii)
From equations (i) and (ii)
9 1
b− =
b 1000 ⇒ 1000 b – b – 9000 = 0
2

1 ± (−1)2 − 4(1000 ) (− 9000 )


⇒b = 2 × 1000
{Solving of quadratic equation}
1 ± 36 ×106 36 ×106
⇒b = ≈ = 3 m.
2000 2000

2. A Cylindrical capacitor having a length of 8 cm is made of two concentric rings


with an inner radius as 3 cm and outer radius as 6 cm. Find the capacitance of
the capacitor.
Answer:
Given:
Length L = 8 cm
inner radius a = 3 cm
outer radius b = 6 cm
Formula for cylindrical capacitor is

WORKSHEET
1. When a cylindrical capacitor is given a charge of 0.500 nC, a potential difference of
20.0 V is measured between the cylinders.

a. What is the capacitance of this system?


b. If the cylinders are 1.0 m long, what is the ratio of their radii?

2. The radius of the outer sphere of a spherical capacitor is five times the radius
of its inner shell. What are the dimensions of this capacitor if its capacitance is
5.00 pF?
3. If two conducting spheres are separately charged and then brought in contact

(a) The total energy of the two spheres is conserved


(b) The total charge on the two spheres is conserved
(c) Both the total energy and charge are conserved
(d) The final potential is always the mean of the original potentials of the two
spheres

4. Two insulated charged spheres of radii 20 cm and 25 cm respectively and


having an equal charge Q are connected by a copper wire, then they are
separated
(a) Both the spheres will have the same charge Q
(b) Charge on the 20 cm sphere will be greater than that on the 25 cm sphere
(c) Charge on the 25 cm sphere will be greater than that on the 20 cm
sphere
(d) Charge on each of the sphere will be 2 Q

5. Eight drops of mercury of equal radii possessing equal charges combine


to form a big drop. Then the capacitance of bigger drop compared to each
individual small drop is
(a) 8 times (b) 4 times(c) 2 times (d) 32 times

6. In a spherical condenser radius of the outer sphere is R . The different


in the radii of outer and inner sphere in x . Its capacity is proportional to
xR x(R − x) R (R − x ) R
(a) (R − x ) (b) r (c) x
(d) x
7. A conducting sphere of radius 10cm is charged 10 µ C . Another
uncharged sphere of radius 20 cm is allowed to touch it for some time. After
that if the sphere are separated, then surface density of charges, on the
spheres will be in the ratio of
(a) 1 : 4 (b) 1 : 3(c)2 : 1(d)1 : 1
8. Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 2 cm are given charges 10 −2 C and
respectively. If they are connected by a conducting wire, the final
5 × 10 −2 C

charge on the smaller sphere is


(a) 3 × 10 −2 C (b) 1 × 10 −2 C (c) 4 × 10 −2 C (d) 2 × 10 −2 C

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