lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 1

This print-out should have 12 questions. = (29.3135 pF)(22080 V)

Multiple-choice questions may continue on
the next column or page – find all choices
before answering.
001 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points
The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor of di-
mensions 2.45 cm × 5.04 cm are separated by
a 1.38 mm thickness of paper.
Find the capacitance of this device. The
dielectric constant κ for paper is 3.7.
Correct answer: 29.3135 pF.
Explanation:
1 × 10−12 F 1 × 106 µC
· ·
1 pF 1C
= 0.647242 µc .
003 (part 1 of 4) 10.0 points
Determine the total energy stored in a con-
ducting sphere with charge Q.
Hint: Use the capacitance formula for
a spherical capacitor which consists of two
spherical shells. Take the inner sphere to
have a radius a and the outer shell to have an
infinite radius.

Q2
Let : κ = 3.7 , 1. U =
8 π ǫ0 a2
d = 1.38 mm = 0.00138 m , and
Q2
A = 2.45 cm × 5.04 cm = 0.0012348 m2 . 2. U =
4 π ǫ0 a
We apply the equation for the capacitance of Q2
3. U = correct
a parallel-plate capacitor and find 8 π ǫ0 a
A Q
C = κ ǫ0 4. U =
d 8 π ǫ0 a
= (3.7) (8.85419 × 10−12 C2 /N · m2 ) Q2
5. U =

0.0012348 m2 1 × 1012 pF
 a
× Q2 a
0.00138 m 1F 6. U =
4 π ǫ0
= 29.3135 pF .
Q2 π
7. U =
8 ǫ0 a
002 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points Q2
What is the maximum charge that can be 8. U =
16 π ǫ0 a
placed on the capacitor? The dielectric
strength of paper is 1.6 × 107 V/m. Explanation:
The capacitance formula for a spherical ca-
Correct answer: 0.647242 µc. pacitor of inner radius a and outer radius b
is
Explanation: ab
C= .
ke (b − a)
Let : Emax = 1.6 × 107 V/m .
If we let b → ∞, we find we can neglect a in
Since the thickness of the paper is 0.00138 m, the denominator compared to b, so
the maximum voltage that can be applied
a
before breakdown is C→ = 4 π ǫ0 a .
ke
Vmax = Emax d .
The total energy stored is
Hence, the maximum charge is
Q2 Q2
U= = .
Qmax = C Vmax = C Emax d 2C 8 π ǫ0 a
 lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 2

Q2 1
 
004 (part 2 of 4) 10.0 points 4. Wif = −1
Find the energy stored in a capacitor of charge 2C κ
Q filled with dielectric, use Cκ = κ C. Q2
 
1
5. Wif = 1− correct
2C κ
Q2
1. U = Q2
3κC 6. Wif = (1 − κ)
2κC
Q2
2. U = Q2
3 (κ − 1) C 7. Wif = (1 − κ)
2C
Q2
3. U = Q2
 
2 (κ − 1) C 1
8. Wif = κ−
2C κ
Q2
4. U = Q 2
κC 9. Wif =
Q 2C
5. U = Explanation:
4κC
The energy stored in the capacitor with the
Q2 dielectric is
6. U = correct
2κC Q2
Ui = .
Q2 2κC
7. U = After pulling the slab out, the charge on the
3C
Q capacitor remains the same (charge conserva-
8. U = tion). The energy stored is
2κC
Q2 Q2
9. U = Uf = ,
2C 2C
Explanation: so the work that must be done to pull the slab
The energy stored in a capacitor of capaci- out is
tance Cκ is
Q2 Q2
W = Uf − Ui = − ,
2C 2κC
Q2 Q2
U= = . or
2 Cκ 2κC Q2

1

W = 1− .
2C κ
005 (part 3 of 4) 10.0 points Since κ > 1, this work is positive, meaning we
Work = Uf − Ui , where “i” is the initial state must supply energy to actually pull the slab
where there is a slab in the gap and “f” is the out. This is expected, since edge effects on
final state where there is no slab in the gap. the capacitor tend to pull the slab into the
Find the work done in pulling a dielectric capacitor.
slab of dielectric constant κ from the gap of a
parallel plate capacitor of plate charge Q and 006 (part 4 of 4) 10.0 points
capacitance C. Consider a capacitor which is connected to a
battery with an emf V . Denote the energy
Q2 stored in the capacitor in the absence of the
1. Wif =
5κC dielectric to be U and in the presence of the
Q2 dielectric to be U ′ . ′
2. Wif = U
2κC Find the ratio as the potential across
U
Q2
 
1 the plates is held at a constant value by the
3. Wif = κ+
2C κ battery.
 lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 3
e) Finally, the capacitor is discharged by
U′ bringing the two terminals close together,
1. =1
U which causes a spark.
U′
2. = κ correct
U
U′ 1
3. =
U κ κ κ
U ′ 1
4. =
U 2κ
U ′ √
5. = 2 The discharge spark will be
U
U′ 1. less energetic than it would have been
6. = 2κ
U without the dielectric being inserted correct
U′ 1
7. = 2. more energetic than it would have been
U 2
′ without the dielectric being inserted.
U 1
8. =
U 3 3. the same as it would have been without
Explanation: the dielectric being inserted.
Here charge can be supplied by the battery,
so Q is not constant. On the other hand, V Explanation:
is constant now, so we use the expression for The capacitance of a capacitor with a di-
the energy in terms of C and V instead of Q electric slab is
and C:
CV2 Cin = κ Cout , where κ > 1 .
U= .
2
With the dielectric inserted, C → κ C, so NOTE
When the battery is removed, the charge
κC V 2 on the plates of the capacitor will remain
U′ = , constant. Charge is neither created nor de-
2
stroyed.
and the ratio is
The potential energy stored in the capacitor
U′ κ C V 2 /2 is
= = κ.
U C V 2 /2
1 Q2
Uout = , and
It can be seen from part 3 that the corre- 2 Cout
1
sponding ratio for keeping Q fixed is . 1 Q2 1 Q2 1
κ Uin = = = Uout
2 Cin 2 κ Cout κ
007 10.0 points < Uout ,

Consider the following steps:
a) An isolated capacitor has air between its
plates;
b) The capacitor is charged by a battery;
c) After the capacitor is charged, the battery
is removed;
d) A dielectric slab κ is then inserted be-
tween its plates;
where Uout is with an air-filled gap and Uin is
with a dielectric-filled gap.
After the dielectric is put into the capaci-
tor, the discharge spark will be less energetic
than it would have been without the dielectric
being inserted
008 10.0 points
 lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 4
A small electrically charged object is sus- The forces acting on the particle are the
pended by a thread between the vertical tension T on the thread, the weight m g and
plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. V
the electric force q E = q . Since the par-
5.2 cm d
ticle is in equilibrium, the resultant force is
equal to zero; i.e.,
V
T sin θ = q
d
θ=12◦ θ
T cos θ = m g
A 260 mg B
Dividing,
18 nC
qV
~
E tan θ =
mgd
m g d tan θ
E V =
q
+ −
(0.00026 kg) (9.8 m/s2 ) (0.052 m)
=
1.8 × 10−8 C
◦
What is the potential difference between × tan 12
the plates? The acceleration of gravity is = 1.56461 kV .
9.8 m/s2 .

Correct answer: 1.56461 kV. 009 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points

A coaxial cable has a charged inner conductor
Explanation:
(with charge +9.3 µC and radius 3.002 mm)
and a surrounding oppositely charged con-
Let : m = 260 mg = 0.00026 kg , ductor (with charge −9.3 µC and radius
g = 9.8 m/s2 , 8.89 mm).
d = 5.2 cm = 0.052 m ,
θ = 12◦ , and
3.002 mm 75 m
q = 18 nC = 1.8 × 10−8 C . +9.3 µC
d 8.89 mm
−9.3 µC
b

θ
A m B What is the magnitude of the electric
q field halfway between the two cylindrical
conductors? The Coulomb constant is
~
E 8.98755 × 10 N · m2 /C2 . Assume the region
9

between the conductors is air, and neglect end

E effects.
+ −
Correct answer: 3.74859 × 105 V/m.
Explanation:
 lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 5
Q
The charge per unit length is λ ≡ . Since
ℓ
Let : ke = 8.98755 × 109 N · m2 /C2 , b b
dr
Z Z
a = 3.002 mm = 0.003002 m , V =− ~ · d~s = −2 ke λ
E
a a r
b = 8.89 mm = 0.00889 m ,  
Q b
Q = 9.3 µC = 9.3 × 10−6 C , and = −2 ke ln ,
ℓ a
ℓ = 75 m .
the capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor is
Q ℓ 1
C≡ =  
ℓ V 2 ke b
r=a ln
+Q a
75 m
r=b =
−Q 2 (8.98755 × 109 N · m2 /C2 )
1 × 109 nF
 
b 1
×  
8.89 mm 1F
ln
3.002 mm
= 3.84327 nF .
The linear charge density is

Q 9.3 × 10−6 C 011 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points

λ= = A 3 µF capacitor is charged to 80 V.
ℓ 75 m How much energy is stored in the capacitor?
−7
= 1.24 × 10 C/m
Correct answer: 9.6 mJ.
and the halfway point is
Explanation:
a+b 0.003002 m + 0.00889 m
r= =
2 2 Let : C = 3 µF = 3 × 10−6 F and
= 0.005946 m
V = 80 V .
so the electric field of a cylindrical capacitor The energy is
is
1
2 ke λ Ui = CV2
E= 2
r 1 1000 mJ
2 8.98755 × 109 N · m2 /C2

= (3 × 10−6 F) (80 V)2 ×
2 1J
=
0.005946 m = 9.6 mJ .
× (1.24 × 10−7 C/m)
= 3.74859 × 105 V/m . 012 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
How much additional energy is required to
charge the capacitor from 80 V to 240 V?
010 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
What is the capacitance of this cable? Correct answer: 76.8 mJ.
Explanation:
Correct answer: 3.84327 nF.
Explanation: Let : V2 = 240 V .
 lee (dl28863) – homework 09a – turner – (90130) 6
The additional energy is
1
∆U = C V22 − Ui
2
1 1000 mJ
= (3 × 10−6 F) (240 V)2 ×
2 1J
− 9.6 mJ
= 76.8 mJ .