Capacitance in a Sperical Shell

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the capacitance of a spherical capacitor formed by two concentric spherical metal shells with given surface charge densities and radii. The context is within electrostatics, specifically focusing on capacitance and electric fields in spherical geometries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the capacitance formula and the potential difference equation but encounters discrepancies between their results and those from a past paper. They express uncertainty about the correctness of their understanding compared to their lecturer's solution.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the original poster's calculations, suggesting that the lecturer's solution may contain errors, particularly in the substitution of values. There is an ongoing exploration of the validity of the provided solutions without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing potential discrepancies in the provided solutions and the implications of differing charge numbers and potential differences. The original poster expresses doubt about their physics knowledge relative to their lecturer's expertise.

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Homework Statement


Consider two concentric spherical metal shells of radii 2m and 4m, situated in free space and carrying uniform surface charge densities of 20nC/m2 and 5nC/m2 respectively.

Find the capacitance C=Q/ΔV of the spherical capacitor formed by the shells. Here Q is the total charge carrying by the smaller spherical shell and ΔV is the potential difference between points of smaller and larger shells.

We know from previous parts of the question that the electric field beyond 4m is 0 and that the electric field for 2 < r < 4 is equivalent to 9x10-3x1/r2 because of the enclosing the inner shell.


Homework Equations


C=Q/ΔV
ΔV = -∫∫^{a}_{b} E . dl



The Attempt at a Solution



My attempt was simply to use the given equations to calculate C, however my answer and the solution in the past paper are not the same, and I don't understand why not. I am considering that the solutions may be wrong, but I don't think my physics is good enough to be better than my lecturers.

I've attached my solutions in a photo, as well as the lecturers.
 

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I believe your answer is correct. The typed solution appears to be correct up until values were substituted for a and b. ab/(a-b) evaluates to 4, whereas they appear to get 2.
 
The differing charge numbers and potential difference are of course a smokescreen.

Your solution is correct.
 
Thanks very much guys :)
 

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