How to Find the Capacitance of an Isolated Ball-Shaped Conductor?

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SUMMARY

The capacitance of an isolated ball-shaped conductor with charge q and radius Ri, surrounded by a dielectric with permittivity E and outer radius R2, can be determined using Gaussian surfaces. The discussion clarifies that when integrating from infinity to R2, the charge enclosed is indeed q, not zero, as the Gaussian surface must account for the charge within the conductor. This understanding is crucial for accurately calculating the capacitance in this configuration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gaussian surfaces in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with capacitance concepts
  • Knowledge of dielectric materials and their permittivity
  • Basic calculus for integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of capacitance formulas for spherical conductors
  • Learn about the application of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Explore the effects of different dielectric materials on capacitance
  • Investigate the relationship between charge, voltage, and capacitance
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Students in physics or electrical engineering, educators teaching electrostatics, and professionals working with capacitive systems will benefit from this discussion.

Shreyas Shree
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Homework Statement


Find the capacitance of an isolated ball-shaped conductor of charge q
of radius Ri surrounded by an adjacent concentric layer of dielectric
with permittivity E and outside radius R2.

Homework Equations


Capture.JPG

3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I haven't understood the very first line. Otherwise everything else is fine.
From the first line, it says that we take a Gaussian surface between R1 and R2, and hence we have a charge q enclosed and we integrate this from R2 to R1. This is also fine. But my problem lies in the step where we take a Gaussian surface outside the capacitor and we integrate it from infinity to R2. But how is the charge enclosed q, should'nt it be zero?
 

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Shreyas Shree said:

Homework Statement


Find the capacitance of an isolated ball-shaped conductor of charge q
of radius Ri surrounded by an adjacent concentric layer of dielectric
with permittivity E and outside radius R2.

Homework Equations


View attachment 88129
3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I haven't understood the very first line. Otherwise everything else is fine.
From the first line, it says that we take a Gaussian surface between R1 and R2, and hence we have a charge q enclosed and we integrate this from R2 to R1. This is also fine. But my problem lies in the step where we take a Gaussian surface outside the capacitor and we integrate it from infinity to R2. But how is the charge enclosed q, should'nt it be zero?
You integrate with respect to r, he distance from the centre, from R2 to infinity. And you need to consider the charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface of radius r.
 
aaaahhh! nice! Thank you very much
 

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