Spherical Capacitor

Conducting sphere of radius a surrounded concentrically

by conducting spherical shell of inner radius b.

• Q: magnitude of charge on each sphere

• Electric field between spheres: use Gauss’ law
Q Q
E[4πr2 ] = ⇒ E(r) =
0 4π0 r2
• Electric potential between spheres: use V (a) = 0
Z r Z r » –
Q dr Q 1 1
V (r) = − E(r)dr = − = −
a 4π0 a r 2 4π0 r a
−Q
• Voltage between spheres:
Q b−a
V ≡ V+ − V− = V (a) − V (b) =
4π0 ab +Q
• Capacitance for spherical geometry: b
Q ab a
C≡ = 4π0
V b−a
E

tsl106 – p.1/1