Three other cases of practical interest present themselves, viz. the
capacity of two concentric spheres, of two coaxial cylinders and of
two parallel planes.
Capacity of two concentric spheres.
Consider the case of two concentric spheres, a solid one enclosed in a
hollow one. Let R1 be the radius of the inner sphere, R2 the inside
radius of the outer sphere, and R2 the outside radius of the outer
spherical shell. Let a charge +Q be given to the inner sphere. Then
this produces a charge -Q on the inside of the enclosing spherical
shell, and a charge +Q on the outside of the shell. Hence the
potential V at the centre of the inner sphere is given by V =
Q/R1 - Q/R2 + Q/R3. If the outer shell is connected to the earth, the
charge +Q on it disappears, and we have the capacity C of the inner
sphere given by
C = 1/R1 - 1/R2 = (R2 - R1)/R1R2 (11).
Such a pair of concentric spheres constitute a condenser (see LEYDEN
JAR), and it is obvious that by making R2 nearly equal to R1, we may
enormously increase the capacity of the inner sphere. Hence the name
_condenser_.
Capacity of two coaxial cylinders.
The other case of importance is that of two coaxial cylinders. Let a
solid circular sectioned cylinder of radius R1 be enclosed in a
coaxial tube of inner radius R2. Then when the inner cylinder is at
potential V1 and the outer one kept at potential V2 the lines of
electric force between the cylinders are radial. Hence the electric
force E in the interspace varies inversely as the distance from the
axis. Accordingly the potential V at any point in the interspace is
given by
_
/
E = -dV/dR = A/R or V = -A | R^-1 dR, (12),
_/
where R is the distance of the point in the interspace from the axis,
and A is a constant. Hence V2 - V1 = -A log R2/R1. If we consider a
length l of the cylinder, the charge Q on the inner cylinder is Q =
2[pi]R1l[sigma], where [sigma] is the surface density, and by
Coulomb's law [sigma] = E1/4[pi], where E1 = A/R1 is the force at the
surface of the inner cylinder.
Accordingly Q = 2[pi]R1lA/4[pi]R1 = Al/2. If then the outer cylinder
be at zero potential the potential V of the inner one is
V = A log (R2/R1), and its capacity C = l/2 log R2/R1.
This formula is important in connexion with the capacity of electric
cables, which consist of a cylindrical conductor (a wire) enclosed in
a conducting sheath. If the dielectric or separating insulator has a
constant K, then the capacity becomes K times as great.
Capacity of two parallel planes.
"Edge effect."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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