Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Two conducting spheres of radii R1 and R2 are kept widely separated from each other. What are their individual capacitances? If the spheres are connected by a metal wire, what will be the capacitance of the combination? Think in terms of series−parallel connections.
Advertisements
Solution
We need to calculate the capacitance of an isolated charged sphere.
Let us assume that the charge on the sphere is Q and its radius is R.
Capacitance of the charged sphere can be found by imagining a concentric sphere of infinite radius consisting of −Q charge.
Potential difference between the spheres = `1/(4pi∈_0) Q/R` - 0 = `1/(4pi∈_0) Q/R`
Capacitance is the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on each conductor to the potential difference between them.
`C = Q/(1/(4pi∈_0) Q/R` = `4pi∈_0 R`
Therefore, the capacitances of spheres of radii R1 and R2 are C1 and C2, respectively. They are given by
`C_1 = 4pi∈_0 R_1`
`C_2 = 4pi∈_0 R_2`
If the spheres are connected by a metal wire, the charge will flow from one sphere to another till their potentials become the same.
As there potentials become the same, the potential difference between the conductors for both the capacitors also becomes the same. Thus, it can be concluded that the capacitors are connected in parallel.
Thus, the capacitance of the combination is given by `C_(eq) = C_1 + C_2`
= `4pi∈_0(R_1 + R_2)`
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Obtain the equivalent capacitance of the network in Figure. For a 300 V supply, determine the charge and voltage across each capacitor.
A spherical capacitor has an inner sphere of radius 12 cm and an outer sphere of radius 13 cm. The outer sphere is earthed and the inner sphere is given a charge of 2.5 µC. The space between the concentric spheres is filled with a liquid of dielectric constant 32.
(a) Determine the capacitance of the capacitor.
(b) What is the potential of the inner sphere?
(c) Compare the capacitance of this capacitor with that of an isolated sphere of radius 12 cm. Explain why the latter is much smaller.
A capacitor of capacitance ‘C’ is being charged by connecting it across a dc source along with an ammeter. Will the ammeter show a momentary deflection during the process of charging? If so, how would you explain this momentary deflection and the resulting continuity of current in the circuit? Write the expression for the current inside the capacitor.
The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are made of circular discs of radii 5⋅0 cm each. If the separation between the plates is 1⋅0 mm, what is the capacitance?
Convince yourself that parts (a), (b) and (c) figure are identical. Find the capacitance between the points A and B of the assembly.
An air-filled parallel-plate capacitor is to be constructed which can store 12 µC of charge when operated at 1200 V. What can be the minimum plate area of the capacitor? The dielectric strength of air is `3 xx 10^6 "Vm"^-1`
The figure show a network of five capacitors connected to a 10V battery. Calculate the charge acquired by the 5μF capacitor.
Define ‘capacitance’. Give its unit.
Explain in detail the effect of a dielectric placed in a parallel plate capacitor.
Derive the expression for resultant capacitance, when the capacitor is connected in parallel.
During a thunder storm, the movement of water molecules within the clouds creates friction, partially causing the bottom part of the clouds to become negatively charged. This implies that the bottom of the cloud and the ground act as a parallel plate capacitor. If the electric field between the cloud and ground exceeds the dielectric breakdown of the air (3 × 106 Vm–1), lightning will occur.
- If the bottom part of the cloud is 1000 m above the ground, determine the electric potential difference that exists between the cloud and ground.
- In a typical lightning phenomenon, around 25 C of electrons are transferred from cloud to ground. How much electrostatic potential energy is transferred to the ground?
The work done in placing a charge of 8 × 10–18 coulomb on a condenser of capacity 100 micro-farad is ______.
A parallel plate capacitor is filled by a dielectric whose relative permittivity varies with the applied voltage (U) as ε = αU where α = 2V–1. A similar capacitor with no dielectric is charged to U0 = 78V. It is then connected to the uncharged capacitor with the dielectric. Find the final voltage on the capacitors.
A 5µF capacitor is charged fully by a 220 V supply. It is then disconnected from the supply and is connected in series to another uncharged 2.5 µF capacitor If the energy change during the charge redistribution is `"X"/100`J then value of X to the 100 nearest integer is ______.
Two identical capacitors are connected as shown and have an initial charge of Q0. The separation between the plates of each capacitor is d0. Suddenly the left plate of the upper capacitor and right plate of the lower capacitor start moving with speed v towards the left while the other plate of each capacitor remains fixed. `("given" (Q_0V)/(2d_0) = 10 A)`. The value of current in the circuit is ______ A.
Which system is called a capacitor?
Which combination has charge as its constant quantity and potential difference as its variable quantity?
