Capacitance of two conducting spheres

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SUMMARY

The capacitance of a system of two conducting spheres, one with radius r_1 and charge Q, and the other with radius r_2 and charge -Q, can be determined using the formula C = Q/V, where V is the potential difference between the spheres. Given the condition L >> r_1, r_2, the charge distribution on each sphere remains unaffected by the other, allowing for the use of superposition to calculate the potential. The potential difference is expressed as ΔV = V(r_1) - V(r_2), leading to the capacitance formula derived from Q/ΔV.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics, specifically the concept of capacitance.
  • Familiarity with the principle of superposition in electric potential.
  • Knowledge of the formula for the potential due to a charged sphere: V = kQ/r.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills to derive capacitance from potential difference.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of capacitance for different geometries, including parallel plates and cylindrical capacitors.
  • Learn about the effects of distance on electric fields and potentials in electrostatics.
  • Explore the concept of electric field lines and their relation to charge distribution on conductors.
  • Investigate the applications of capacitance in circuits, including RC circuits and energy storage.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone studying electrostatics or capacitor design will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement


We're supposed to find the capacitance of a system of two conducting spheres, one of radius [itex]r_1[/itex] and charge [itex]Q[/itex], the other of radius [itex]r_2[/itex] and charge [itex]-Q[/itex], separated by a distance [itex]L[/itex] (this is the distance between their centers) that's very large compared to either [itex]r_1[/itex] or [itex]r_2[/itex].

Homework Equations


We define the capacitance by [itex]C = Q/V[/itex], where [itex]V[/itex] is the potential difference between the spheres.

The Attempt at a Solution


Really, my only question, as of right now, is what approximations or assumptions we can make based on the [itex]L >> r_1,r_2[/itex] assumption. Is it just that the charge distribution on eiter sphere is unaffected by the presence of the other sphere? Such that we can assume the potential is just the superposition
[tex]\dfrac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 R_1} - \dfrac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 R_2},[/tex]
where [itex]R_1[/itex] is the distance from the center of the first sphere and [itex]R_2[/itex] is the distance from the center of the other sphere?
 
Last edited:
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Here's a new attempt at a solution:

(1) The potential due to a sphere is [itex]kQ/r[/itex], where [itex]r[/itex] is the distance from the center of the sphere.

(2) If we consider the two spheres mentioned above, set the origin at the center of the left-most, and let the x-axis join the centers of the spheres, then the potential at any point along this axis is given by the linear superposition of the potentials of sphere 1 and sphere 2:
[tex] V = V_1 + V_2 = \frac{kQ}{x} - \frac{kQ}{L-x}.[/tex]

(3) This means the potential difference between the spheres is given by [itex]\Delta V = V(r_1) - V(r_2)[/itex], which is just
[tex] \frac{kQ}{r_1} - \frac{kQ}{L-r_1} + \frac{kQ}{r_2} - \frac{kQ}{L-r_2}.[/tex]

I guess we can reduce this, and put [itex]Q/\Delta V[/itex] to get the capacitance.
 
...anyone? Does it look like I'm heading in the right direction here?
 

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