Difference Between Thin and Conductive charge configurations

[Rawrzz]

Difference Between "Thin" and "Conductive" charge configurations

Is there any difference computationally between say a thin spherical insulating shell and a thin conductive shell ?

Can you create a capacitor with two thin insulating shells, one smaller than the other ?

I see most textbooks explicitly say that capacitors must be conductors. Is this so ?

 

[UltrafastPED]

The charge enters the capacitor from outside - with an insulator the incoming charge is stuck in one spot, so it would make a lousy capacitor. With conducting surfaces source charges can flow so that the entire surface is charged (both plates/spheres).

The region between the conductors is the insulator; the charges on the plates induce small movements in the molecules of the conductor - they "polarize" the material, but no charge moves more than a few nanometers.

 

[Rawrzz]

Say a charge is already uniformly distributed on the thin spheres. Can you talk about capacitance then ? I realize that it is the practicality of charging that is the problem, but textbooks talk about uniform charge on insulators all the time.

 

[UltrafastPED]

It wouldn't make a workable capacitor, but it could have a capacitance; see the definitions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance

and here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_capacitanceCapacitive sensors are an important technology. But just because something has a capacitance does not mean that it would work as a capacitor ... for that to be true it must also satisfy the voltage/current relationship.

 

[sardar]

I can provide a response to the question about the difference between "thin" and "conductive" charge configurations. The main difference between these two configurations is the ability to conduct electricity. A thin charge configuration refers to a material or object that does not have a high conductivity and is not able to easily transfer electric charge. This can include insulating materials such as rubber or plastic. On the other hand, a conductive charge configuration refers to a material or object that has a high conductivity and is able to easily transfer electric charge. This can include metals such as copper or silver.

In terms of computational differences, there may be some variations in how these two configurations are modeled and analyzed, but the underlying principles of electric charge and behavior remain the same. Both thin and conductive charge configurations can be used in various applications, such as in capacitors.

Speaking of capacitors, it is possible to create a capacitor with two thin insulating shells, one smaller than the other. This is known as a "parallel plate capacitor" and is a common type of capacitor used in electronic circuits. The two insulating shells act as the dielectric material between two conductive plates, creating a charge separation and allowing for energy storage.

It is a common misconception that capacitors must be conductors. While most textbooks may mention this, it is not necessarily true. As mentioned before, insulating materials can also be used in capacitors, as long as there is a conductive material present to create the electric field necessary for energy storage. In fact, some capacitors specifically use insulating materials as the dielectric to improve their performance.

In conclusion, the main difference between "thin" and "conductive" charge configurations is their ability to conduct electricity. Both can be used in various applications, including in capacitors. It is not necessary for capacitors to be made of conductive materials, as insulating materials can also be used in their construction.