Energy Stored in a Capacitor
 

Energy Stored in a Capacitor problem 9


  • An insulated metal sphere of radius is situated in a vacuum. The charge on the sphere may be considered to be a point charge at the centre of the sphere. Define capacitance and hence show that the capacitance of the sphere is given by the expression




  • An isolated metal sphere has radius .


    • Use the expression in (a)(ii) to calculate the capacitance, in picofarad, of the sphere.


    • The sphere is charged to a potential of . A spark occurs, partially discharging the sphere so that its potential is reduced to . Determine the energy of the spark.


 

main author and content editor: Ebenezer Famadewa