Is the Capacitance of a Twin Lead TV Antenna Cable Within Specifications?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the capacitance of a twin lead TV antenna cable, which consists of two 0.50mm diameter wires spaced 12mm apart and 30m in length. The original poster is concerned whether the calculated capacitance exceeds the specified limit of 1000 pF.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate capacitance using a formula involving epsilon_0 and dimensions of the cable, expressing doubt about the correctness of their result. Other participants suggest using the general definition of capacitance, C=Q/V, and explore the relationship between charge, voltage, and linear charge density.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to calculate capacitance. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the methods used, and some participants express uncertainty about their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint of a specified maximum capacitance of 1000 pF and are questioning the validity of their assumptions and calculations based on the given parameters.

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Homework Statement



Your home video studio will use a TV antenna cable often known as "twin lead." Two 0.50mm--diameter wires are spaced 12mm apart. Your equipment requires that the total capacitance of the cable not exceed 1000 pF. The cable is 30m long. A technical paper on the cable gives the potential difference between the two conductors as

V = lamda / (pi*epsilon_0 ) * ln ( (b-a) / a )

where a is the radius of the wire and b is the separation.

Is your cable within the specifications? ____ (my answer is NO), see below

Attempt :

C = epsilon_0 * A / D

A = 2piRL
A = 2 * pi * ( 0.5/2 * 10^-3 ) * (30 m)
D = 12mm * 10 ^ -3

C = epsilon_0 * 2 * pi * (0.25 * 10^-3) * (30) / (12 * 10^-3)

= 3.47 * 10 ^ -11

which is greater than 1000pF = 10^-9, thus it should be NO, I think. Is this correct?
 
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Any one have any Ideas ,

I also tried this :

C = Q/V

V is given , and Q is lamda * L, but I don't think its right
 
Use the general definition for capacitance, C=Q/V.
 
I did that as well.

C = Q/V

V is given, and I use Q = q*Lamda

But I think its not correct though.
 

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