PHY 102: Introduction to Physics-2

Tutorial-7
(Energy in electrostatic field, capacitors and conductors)
1. Energy stored in a cloud: How much electrical
energy is stored in a typical thundercloud? Assume a
cloud of height h = 10 km, radius r = 10 km, with a
uniform electric field E = 105 V/m.
(Image source: http://redcrossggr.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/thunderstorm.jpg) Figure: A thunderstorm.

2. Cylindrical capacitor:

Consider next a solid

cylindrical conductor of radius a surrounded by a

coaxial cylindrical shell of inner radius b, as shown in
Figure. The length of both cylinders is L and we take
this length to be much larger than ba, the separation
of the cylinders, so that edge effects can be neglected.
The capacitor is charged so that the inner cylinder

Figure: Cylindrical capacitor.

has charge +Q while the outer shell has a charge Q. What is the
capacitance?
3. Charges on conducting shells. Consider two nested, spherical conducting
shells. The first has inner radius a and outer radius b. The second has inner
radius c and outer radius d. If both shells are floating (i.e., their net charge
will remain fixed). A positive charge +Q is introduced into the center of the
inner spherical shell. Determine the total charge on each of the faces of the
conducting spheres (inner and outer for each), as well as the electric field and
potential everywhere in space (as a function of distance r from the center of
the spherical shells). Take the zero of potential to be at infinity.