Rankers Physics
Topic: Capacitors
Subtopic: Spherical Capacitors

Two spherical conductors A1 and A2 of radii r1 and r2 are placed concentrically in air. The two are connected by a copper A wire as shown in figure. Then the equivalent capacitance of the system is : Image related to
\[\frac{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}Kr_{1}r_{2}}{r_{2}-r_{1}}\]
\[4\pi\varepsilon_{0}(r_{2}+r_{1})\]
\[4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r_{2}\]
\[4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r_{1}\]

Solution:

The problem involves two spherical conductors A1A_1 and A2A_2 connected by a copper wire. Let’s analyze and compute the equivalent capacitance of the system.

Given:

  • A1A_1 and A2A_2 are concentric spherical conductors.
  • Radii of the spheres: r1r_1 (inner) and r2r_2 (outer).
  • The medium is air, so the permittivity is ε0\varepsilon_0.

Key Concepts:

  1. Potential Difference Between the Spheres: The two conductors are connected by a wire, meaning they are at the same potential. As a result, the electric field exists only between the two spheres.
  2. Capacitance of a Single Isolated Sphere: If only A2A_2 existed as a spherical conductor, its capacitance would be:

    Csingle=4πε0r2.C_{\text{single}} = 4 \pi \varepsilon_0 r_2.

  3. Why the System is Equivalent to an Isolated Sphere: Since A1A_1 is connected to A2A_2 via a conducting wire, any charge added to A1A_1 immediately flows to A2A_2, making the system behave as if there is only one conductor of radius r2r_2.

Equivalent Capacitance:

Thus, the capacitance of the system is:

Cequivalent=4πε0r2.C_{\text{equivalent}} = 4 \pi \varepsilon_0 r_2.

Final Answer:

The equivalent capacitance of the system is:

4πε0r2.\boxed{4 \pi \varepsilon_0 r_2}.

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