Capacitance of a cylinder containing an infinite number of cylinders

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the capacitance of a finite cylinder containing an infinite number of infinitely thin cylinders. Capacitance is defined as the ratio of charge (Q) to voltage (V), expressed as C=Q/V. The complexity arises from the configuration of the outer cylinder, specifically whether it is open or closed at the ends. If the outer cylinder is fully closed, the capacitance behaves similarly to that of a solid cylinder, while an infinitesimal distance between layers suggests a capacitance that approaches infinity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capacitance and its formula (C=Q/V)
  • Familiarity with cylindrical geometries in electrostatics
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions in capacitor configurations
  • Basic principles of electrostatics and charge distribution
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the capacitance of cylindrical capacitors in electrostatics
  • Study the effects of boundary conditions on capacitance calculations
  • Explore the concept of infinite series in electrostatics
  • Learn about the implications of infinitesimal distances in capacitor theory
USEFUL FOR

Physiology PhD students, electrical engineers, and anyone studying electrostatics or capacitor design will benefit from this discussion.

IanS
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I am a struggling physiology PhD student and would very much appreciate some help...

I need an expression for the capacitance of a cylinder (of finite radius and length) containing an infinite number of infinitely thin cylinders.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,
-Ian
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your question is poorly posed. Capacitance is defined as the ratio of the charges on two conductors (+Q on one and -Q on the other) to the voltage (V) between them,
so C=Q/V. With an infinite number, what do you mean by capacitance?
Is the outer cylinder of finite length open or closed at the ends?
 
Is the outside cylinder fully closed (that is, closed off at both ends)? If it is, then it does not matter what is inside it (I'm 90% sure of that, but someone correct me please).
Is there any separation between the outside cylinder and the inner ones? If not, then it would be identical to a solid cylinder, which would be identical (in capacitance) to a cylindrical shell.

Otherwise, the problem implies an infinitessimal distance between layers of a capacitor, which implies a capacitance that approaches infinity.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K