How to find energy stored between two spheres?

In summary, the problem involves calculating the stored energy between two concentric, spherical conductors with given dimensions and charge density. To find the energy, the equations for capacitance and surface charge density are used, and the final answer is found to be 2.504e-4 kJ.
  • #1
curt291
5
0

Homework Statement


A spherical conductor of radius 7.00 mm carries a surface charge density of 9.00 μC/mm2. A second hollow, concentric, spherical conductor has an inner radius of 7.09 mm. How much stored energy is there between the spheres?


Homework Equations


C=Q/V
A=4pi(r^2)
C=4(pi)(Epsilon_0)((R_a*R_b)/(R_a-R_b))
surface charge density = Q/A
U=.5*Q^2/C=.5*C*V^2=.5QV


The Attempt at a Solution


I keep getting 2.5o4e^-4 kJ but it isn't one of the answer choices. There is a 250 kJ, but that makes me off by a factor of 1 million...
Here are the answer choices:
A) 16kJ B) 1000kJ C) 6.4kJ D) 250kJ
Thank you very much!
 
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  • #2
Your charge density is in charge/mm^2 and the dimensions of the sphere are in mm. Do you have Epsilon_0 in the right units or did you convert mm above to m?
 
  • #3
Yes, I did convert everything to standard units.
R_a=.00709m
R_b=.007m
σ=.009 coulombs/m^2

C=Q/V_ba=4(pi)(Epsilon_0)((R_a*R_b)/R_a-R_b))=6.1327e-11F

Surface area of inner sphere =4(pi)(.007^2)=6.1575e-4m2
σ=Q/A so Q=5.5418e-6

U=.5(Q^2/C)=.5((5.5418e-6)^2)/6.1327e-11)=2.504e-4 kJ
in kJ because that's what the answer choices are in.
 

FAQ: How to find energy stored between two spheres?

1. How do you calculate the energy stored between two spheres?

The energy stored between two spheres can be calculated using the formula: E = (9 x 10^9) x (q1 x q2) / (r), where q1 and q2 are the charges of the two spheres and r is the distance between them. This formula is derived from Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. What factors affect the amount of energy stored between two spheres?

The amount of energy stored between two spheres is affected by the charges of the spheres, the distance between them, and the dielectric constant of the material between them. The dielectric constant is a measure of how easily electric field lines pass through a material, and a higher dielectric constant will result in a higher energy stored between the spheres.

3. How does the energy stored between two spheres change if the distance between them is increased?

If the distance between two spheres is increased, the energy stored between them will decrease. This is because the force between two charged objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, as the distance increases, the force decreases, resulting in a lower amount of energy stored between the spheres.

4. Can the energy stored between two spheres be negative?

No, the energy stored between two spheres cannot be negative. This is because energy is a scalar quantity and cannot have a negative value. However, the force between two spheres can be attractive or repulsive, which can affect the direction of the energy transfer between them.

5. How is the energy stored between two spheres used in practical applications?

The energy stored between two spheres is used in various practical applications such as capacitors, which are electronic devices used to store and release electrical energy. It is also used in electrostatic motors and generators, which convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa. Additionally, the concept of stored energy between two spheres is important in understanding the behavior of charged particles in electric fields.

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