Define capacitance for an isolated spherical conductor and for a parallel-plate capacitor, explicitly identifying Q and V. A capacitor's plates carry +24 μC and −24 μC with 12 V between them. Calculate C and explain why neither 0 nor 48 μC is the correct numerator.

Question

Accepted Answer

Sphere: charge divided by potential relative to infinity. Plates: charge magnitude on one plate divided by p.d.; C = 2.0 μF. For the sphere, identify V as the potential relative to infinity. For two plates, identify V as their p.d. and Q as charge magnitude on one plate. C = 24 × 10⁻⁶/12 = 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ F. Zero is the pair's net charge and 48 μC is the sum of two magnitudes; neither is the separated charge Q used in the definition.

State what Q and V mean in each geometry

Define capacitance for an isolated spherical conductor and for a parallel-plate capacitor, explicitly identifying Q and V. A capacitor's plates carry +24 μC and −24 μC with 12 V between them. Calculate C and explain why neither 0 nor 48 μC is the correct numerator.

What a complete response should do

Your self-assessment