Determine the capacitance between two surfaces

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    Capacitance Surfaces
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the capacitance between two surfaces, specifically focusing on the application of Gauss's law and the symmetry of the charge distribution. Participants explore various approaches to the problem, including mathematical derivations and the implications of different geometrical configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a mathematical approach to find capacitance, integrating electric field and charge density, but expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their solution.
  • Another participant corrects the final expression for capacitance, suggesting a different formulation involving the logarithm of the ratio of distances.
  • A participant questions the application of Gauss's law, noting a perceived lack of symmetry in the charge distribution for the chosen Gaussian surface.
  • Another participant proposes that if the surfaces are full cylinders (2π angle), then symmetry is present, which may validate the use of Gauss's law.
  • One participant acknowledges the lack of symmetry in the original approach and agrees that full cylinders would indeed provide symmetry.
  • A later reply discusses the implications of symmetry in determining conductance for full cylinders and suggests a method for dividing conductance based on the angles involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of Gauss's law due to symmetry considerations. While some agree that full cylinders exhibit symmetry, others maintain that the original configuration lacks it, leading to unresolved disagreements on the validity of the initial approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the assumptions made about symmetry and the implications for applying Gauss's law. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the correct mathematical treatment of the problem based on the geometrical configuration of the surfaces.

goohu
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Homework Statement
Determine capacitance between the two surfaces (see picture). The electric field is assumed to be radial.
Relevant Equations
1) C = Q/V. 2) Gauss law (cylinder); Qenc = integral of E*e0 dA , where dA is small element of the surface. 3) V = -gradient of E
For my solution I'm skipping writing out all the vectors, I just want to see if I'm in the right way or totally off.

Attempt at solution:
Qenc = ∫ E(r)*e0 ds = ∫ E(r)*e0 *h* r*dtheta, we integrate from 0 to phi0. This will give us Q = E(r)*e0*h*r*phi0.

Now we find V by integrating E from a to b with respect to r.
V = ∫ E(r) dr = Q / (e0*h*phi0) * ∫ 1/r dr = Q * ln(b/a) * 1/(e0*h*phi0).

And lastly we have C = Q/V = ln(b/a) * 1(e0*h*phi0).

Does this look reasonable? Unfortunately I don't have the right answer to this task.
 

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Just a small correction on
goohu said:
And lastly we have C = Q/V = ln(b/a) * 1(e0*h*phi0).
C=\epsilon_0 \frac{h \phi_0}{ln\frac{b}{a}}
 
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I could be wrong but, why are you using gauss law for this charge distribution, I don't see any symmetry in this problem for a gaussian surface to be applied
 
Last edited:
If the surfaces are not ##\phi_0## parts but 2##\pi## full cylinders, are you all right on symmetry ?
 
Yeah, actually in this case it doesn't seem to be symmetrical so my attempt was probably wrong.

If the cylinders are whole (2 pi angle) then it is symmetrical.
 
goohu said:
If the cylinders are whole (2 pi angle) then it is symmetrical.

By symmetry you get conductance of whole cylinders that is #2 answer with ##\phi_0=2\pi##
Then cut the cake or pizza of thus charged cylinders with ##\phi_0## and ##2\pi-\phi_0## parts.
Conductance is divided to the parts with the ratio of ##\phi_0## and ##2\pi-\phi_0##.
 

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