Chapter 26 Solutions

*26.1

26.2

(a)

Q = C (V) = (4.00 106 F)(12.0 V) = 4.80 105 C = 48.0 C

(b)

Q = C (V) = (4.00 106 F)(1.50 V) = 6.00 106 C = 6.00 C

(a)

C=

(b)

V =

(4.90 10 4 N / C)(0.210 m)2

= 0.240 C
8.99 10 9 N m 2 / C 2

ke q
:
r2

(a)

q 0.240 10 6
=
= 1.33 C/m2
A 4 (0.120)2

(b)

C = 4 e0 r = 4 (8.85 10 12 )(0.120) = 13.3 pF

(a)

C = 4 e0 R
R=

26.5

Q 100 10 6 C
=
= 100 V
C 1.00 10 6 F

E=

26.3

26.4

10.0 10 6 C
Q
=
= 1.00 10 6 F = 1.00 F
V
10.0 V

q=

C
= ke C = (8.99 109 N m2/C 2)(1.00 1012 F) = 8.99 mm
4 e0
4 (8.85 1012 C 2)(2.00 103 m)
= 0.222 pF
N m2

(b)

C = 4 e0 R =

(c)

Q = CV = (2.22 1013 F)(100 V) = 2.22 1011 C

(a)

Q1 R1
=
Q2 R2

R
Q1 + Q2 = 1 + 1 Q2 = 3.50Q2 = 7.00 C
R2

Q2 = 2.00 C

(b)

V1 = V 2 =

Q1= 5.00 C

5.00 C
Q1 Q2
=
=
= 8.99 10 4 V = 89.9 kV
1
9
C1 C2
8.99 10 m F (0.500 m)

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 26 Solutions

C=

*26.6

e0 A
(1.00)(8.85 1012 C 2)(1.00 103 m)2
=
= 11.1 nF
d
N m2(800 m)

The potential between ground and cloud is

V = Ed = (3.00 106 N/C)(800 m) = 2.40 109 V
Q = C (V) = (11.1 10-9 C/V)(2.40 109 V) = 26.6 C

26.7

(a)

V = Ed
E=

(b)

20.0 V
1.80 103 m

E=

= 11.1 kV/m

e0

= (1.11 104 N/C)(8.85 1012 C 2/N m2) = 98.3 nC/m2

(c)

Q
(d) V = C

26.8

)(

8.85 10 12 C 2 / N m 2 7.60 cm 2 (1.00 m / 100 cm )

e0 A
C=
=
= 3.74 pF
d
1.80 10 3 m
2

Q = (20.0 V)(3.74 1012 F) = 74.7 pC

C=

e0 A
= 60.0 10 15 F
d

d=

12
21.0 10 12
e0 A (1) 8.85 10
=
C
60.0 10 15

)(

d = 3.10 10 9 m = 3.10 nm

26.9

Q=

e ( V )
Q
= = 0
A
d

e0 A
( V )
d

8.85 10 12 C 2 N m 2 (150 V )
e0 ( V )
d=
=
= 4.42 m

30.0 10 9 C cm 2 1.00 10 4 cm 2 m 2

)(

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85

86

Chapter 26 Solutions
With = , the plates are out of mesh and the overlap area is zero.
With = 0, the overlap area is that of a semi-circle, R 2 2 . By
proportion, the effective area of a single sheet of charge is
( )R 2 2.

26.10

When there are two plates in each comb, the number of adjoining
sheets of positive and negative charge is 3, as shown in the sketch.
When there are N plates on each comb, the number of parallel
capacitors is 2N 1 and the total capacitance is
C = ( 2N 1)

26.11

e0 Aeffective

(a)

C=

(b)

Method 1:

b
2k e ln a

=q/l =

distance

(2N 1)e0 ( )R 2

d2

50.0
7.27
2(8.99 109) ln
2.58

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+

(2N 1) 0 ( )R 2
d

= 2.68 nF

b
V = 2k e ln
a
8.10 106 C
= 1.62 107 C/m
50.0 m

7.27
V = 2(8.99 10 9)(1.62 107) ln 2.58 = 3.02 kV

Method 2:

26.12

Q
8.10 106
V = C =
= 3.02 kV
2.68 109

Let the radii be b and a with b = 2a. Put charge Q on the inner conductor and Q on the outer.
Electric field exists only in the volume between them. The potential of the inner sphere is
V a = keQ a; that of the outer is Vb = keQ b . Then
V a Vb =

ke Q ke Q
Q b a

a
b
4 e0 ab

Here C =

4 e0 2a2
= 8 e0 a
a

The intervening volume is

a=

C=

and

4 e0 ab
Q
=
ba
V a Vb

C
8 e0
4
3

4
3

Volume = b 3 a3 = 7

Volume =
The outer sphere is 360 km in diameter.

4
a3
3

) = 7 ( ) 8 C e
4
3

7C 3
384 2e0 3

7 (20.0 10 6 C 2 / Nm)3
= 2.13 1016 m3
384 2 (8.85 10 12 C 2 / Nm 2 )3

Chapter 26 Solutions

Dividing, tan =

Eq
,
mg

so

E=

mg
tan
q

mgd tan (350 10 6 kg)(9.80 m / s 2 )(4.00 10 2 m) tan 15.0

=
= 1.23 kV
q
30.0 10 9 C

V = Ed =

Fy = 0: T cos mg = 0

26.14

Dividing, tan =

26.15

Fx = 0: T sin Eq = 0

Fy = 0: T cos mg = 0

26.13

87

Eq
,
mg

so

Fx = 0: T sin Eq = 0
E=

mg
tan
q

(a)

C=

ab
(0.0700)(0.140)
=
= 15.6 pF
ke (b a) (8.99 10 9 )(0.140 0.0700)

(b)

C=

Q
V

V =

mgd tan
q

V = Ed =

and

Q 4.00 10 6 C
=
= 256 kV
C 15.6 10 12 F

Goal Solution
An air-filled spherical capacitor is constructed with inner and outer shell radii of 7.00 and 14.0 cm,
respectively. (a) Calculate the capacitance of the device. (b) What potential difference between the
spheres results in a charge of 4.00 C on the capacitor?
G: Since the separation between the inner and outer shells is much larger than a typical electronic
capacitor with d ~ 0.1 mm and capacitance in the microfarad range, we might expect the capacitance of
this spherical configuration to be on the order of picofarads, (based on a factor of about 700 times
larger spacing between the conductors). The potential difference should be sufficiently low to prevent
sparking through the air that separates the shells.
O: The capacitance can be found from the equation for spherical shells, and the voltage can be found
from Q = CV .
A : (a)

For a spherical capacitor with inner radius a and outer radius b,

C=

(b)

ab
(0.0700 m)(0.140 m)
=
= 1.56 10 11 F = 15.6 pF
k(b a)
8.99 10 9 N m 2 C 2 (0.140 0.0700) m

V =

Q (4.00 10 6 C)
=
= 2.56 10 5 V = 256 kV
C
1.56 10 -11 F

L : The capacitance agrees with our prediction, but the voltage seems rather high. We can check this
voltage by approximating the configuration as the electric field between two charged parallel plates
separated by d = 7.00 cm, so
E~

V 2.56 10 5 V
=
= 3.66 106 V / m
d
0.0700 m

This electric field barely exceeds the dielectric breakdown strength of air 3 106 V / m , so it may not
even be possible to place 4.00 C of charge on this capacitor!

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

88

Chapter 26 Solutions

)(

26.16

C = 4 e0 R = 4 8.85 10 12 C N m 2 6.37 106 m = 7.08 10 4 F

*26.17 (a)

Capacitors in parallel add. Thus, the equivalent capacitor has a value of

Ceq = C1 + C2 = 5.00 F + 12.0 F = 17.0 F

(b)

The potential difference across each branch is the same and equal to the voltage of the battery.
V = 9.00 V

(c)

*26.18 (a)

Q 5 = C (V) = (5.00 F)(9.00 V) = 45.0 C

and

In series capacitors add as

1
1
1
1
1
C eq = C 1 + C 2 = 5.00 F + 12.0 F

(c)

Q12 = C (V) = (12.0 F)(9.00 V) = 108 C

and

C eq = 3.53 F

The charge on the equivalent capacitor is

Q eq = C eq (V) = (3.53 F)(9.00 V) = 31.8 C
Each of the series capacitors has this same charge on it. So

(b)

The voltage across each is

Q1
31.8 C
V 1 = C = 5.00 F = 6.35 V
1

26.19

Q 1 = Q 2 = 31.8 C

1
Cp = C1 + C2 C

and

V 2 =

Q2
31.8 C
= 12.0 F = 2.65 V
C2

1
1
= C +C
1
2
1
1
Cp C1 + C1
1
= C + C
= C
Cs
1
p C1
1(C p C 1)

Substitute C 2 = C p C 1
2

Simplifying, C 1 C 1 C p + C p C s = 0
C1 =

Cp Cp 2 4CpCs
2

1
2

= Cp

1
C 2
4 p

CpCs

We choose arbitrarily the + sign. (This choice can be arbitrary, since with the case of the
minus sign, we would get the same two answers with their names interchanged.)
1
2

C1 = Cp +

1
C 2
4 p
1
2

CpCs =

C2 = Cp C1 = Cp

1
C 2
4 p

1
2

(9.00 pF ) +
1

1
4

(9.00 pF )2 (9.00 pF )(2.00 pF ) =

CpCs = 2 (9.00 pF) 1.50 pF = 3.00 pF

6.00 pF

Chapter 26 Solutions

Cp = C1 + C2

26.20

Substitute

89

1
1
1
=
+
Cs C1 C2

and

Cp C1 + C1
1
1
1
=
+
=
Cs C1 Cp C1 C1 Cp C1

C2 = Cp C1 :

C12 C1Cp + CpCs = 0

Simplifying,

C1 =

and

Cp Cp2 4CpCs
2

1
2

Cp +

1
4

Cp2 CpCs

where the positive sign was arbitrarily chosen (choosing the negative sign gives the same
values for the capacitances, with the names reversed). Then, from C2 = Cp C1
C2 =

26.21

(a)

1
2

Cp

1
4

Cp CpCs

1
1
1
Cs = 15.0 + 3.00 Cs = 2.50 F
Cp = 2.50 + 6.00 = 8.50 F

1
1
Ceq =
+

8.50 F 20.0 F

(b)

= 5.96 F

Q = ( V )C = (15.0 V)(5.96 F) = 89.5 C

V =

on 20.0 F

Q 89.5 C
=
= 4.47 V
C 20.0 F

15.0 4.47 = 10.53 V

Q = ( V )C= (10.53)(6.00 F) = 63.2 C on 6.00 F
89.5 63.2 = 26.3 C on 15.0 F and 3.00 F

26.22

The circuit reduces first according to the rule for

capacitors in series, as shown in the figure, then
according to the rule for capacitors in parallel,
shown below.
1 1 11

= C = 1.83C
Ceq = C 1 + +

2 3 6

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

90

Chapter 26 Solutions
Q

Q
20.0

so

6.00 106 =

Q1 = 120 C Q2

and

V =

120 Q 2
Q2
=C
C1
2

or

120 Q2
Q2
= 3.00
6.00

C=

26.23

and

Q = 120 C

Q
C

(3.00)(120 Q2) = (6.00)Q2

Q2 =

360
= 40.0 C
9.00

Q1 = 120 C 40.0 C = 80.0 C

*26.24 (a)

In series , to reduce the effective capacitance:

1
1
1
=
+
32.0 F 34.8 F Cs
Cs =

(b)

1
= 398 F
2.51 10 3 F

In parallel , to increase the total capacitance:

29.8 F + Cp = 32.0 F
Cp = 2.20 F

With switch closed, distance d' = 0.500d and capacitance C =

26.25
(a)

Q = C (V) = 2C(V) = 2(2.00 10 6 F)(100 V) = 400 C

(b)

The force stretching out one spring is

F=

e0 A 2e0 A
=
= 2C
d
d

2C 2 (V) 2 2C(V) 2
Q2
4C 2 (V) 2
=
=
=
2e0 A
2e0 A
(e0 A / d)d
d

One spring stretches by distance x = d /4, so

k=

F 2C(V) 2 4
8C(V) 2 8(2.00 10 6 F)(100 V) 2
=
=
=
= 2.50 kN/m
d
x
d
d2
(8.00 10 3 m) 2

Chapter 26 Solutions
26.26

Positive charge on A will induce equal negative charges on B, D,

and F, and equal positive charges on C and E. The nesting spheres
form three capacitors in series. From Example 26.3,
CAB =
CCD =

R(2R) 2R
ab
=
=
ke (b a)
ke R
ke

(3R)( 4R) = 12R

ke R

Ceq =

ke

ke R

( 5R)( 6R)

CEF =

26.27

91

30R
ke

60 R
1
=
ke / 2R + ke / 12R + ke / 30R
37 ke

nC =

nC =

100C
n

100
n/C

n2 = 100

so

and

n = 10

Goal Solution
A group of identical capacitors is connected first in series and then in parallel. The combined capacitance
in parallel is 100 times larger than for the series connection. How many capacitors are in the group?
G: Since capacitors in parallel add and ones in series add as inverses, 2 capacitors in parallel would have a
capacitance 4 times greater than if they were in series, and 3 capacitors would give a ratio Cp / Cs = 9 , so
maybe n = Cp / Cs = 100 = 10.
O: The ratio reasoning above seems like an efficient way to solve this problem, but we should check the
answer with a more careful analysis based on the general relationships for series and parallel
combinations of capacitors.
A : Call C the capacitance of one capacitor and n the number of capacitors. The equivalent capacitance for
n capacitors in parallel is
Cp = C1 + C2 + . . . + Cn = nC
The relationship for n capacitors in series is

Therefore

Cp
Cs

nC
= n2
C/n

or

n=

Cp
Cs

1
1
1
n
1
=
+
+...+
=
Cn C
Cs C1 C2
= 100 = 10

L : Our prediction appears to be correct. A qualitative reason that Cp / Cs = n2 is because the amount of
charge that can be stored on the capacitors increases according to the area of the plates for a parallel
combination, but the total charge remains the same for a series combination.

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92

Chapter 26 Solutions

Cs =

26.28

1
1
+
5.00 10.0

= 3.33 F

Cp1 = 2(3.33) + 2.00 = 8.66 F

Cp2 = 2(10.0) = 20.0 F
Ceq =

1
1
+
8.66 20.0

= 6.04 F

Qeq = Ceq ( V ) = 6.04 10 6 F (60.0 V ) = 3.62 10 4 C

26.29

Qp1 = Qeq , so

V p1 =

Qeq
Cp1

) (

3.62 10 4 C
= 41.8 V
8.66 10 6 F

Q3 = C3 V p1 = 2.00 10 6 F ( 41.8 V ) = 83.6 C

Cs =

26.30

1
1
+
5.00 7.00

= 2.92 F

Cp = 2.92 + 4.00 + 6.00 = 12.9 F

*26.31 (a)

U = 2 C (V)2 = 2 (3.00 F)(12.0 V) 2 = 216 J

(b)

U = 2 C (V)2 = 2 (3.00 F)(6.00 V) 2 = 54.0 J

U = 2 C (V)2

*26.32

The circuit diagram is shown at the right.

(a)

Cp = C1 + C2 = 25.0 F + 5.00 F = 30.0 F

1

U = 2 (30.0 106)(100) 2 = 0.150 J

(b)

1
1
Cs = C + C
1
2

1
1
= 25.0 F + 5.00 F

U = 2 C (V)2
V =

2U
=
C

(0.150)(2)

4.17 10 6

= 268 V

= 4.17 F

Chapter 26 Solutions

*26.33

Use U =

1 Q2
2 C

26.34

u=

e0 A
d

and C =

If d2 = 2d1, C2 =

1
C .
2 1

93

Therefore, the stored energy doubles .

U 1
= e0E 2
V 2

1.00 10 7 1
= (8.85 10 12 )(3000)2
2
V
V = 2.51 10 3 m 3

= 2.51 10 3 m 3

L
=
) 1000
m
3

2.51 L

Q2
d Q2 d Q2x
dU
=
=
=
dx dx 2c dx 2e0 A 2 e0 A

26.35

W = U = F dx

26.36

Plate a experiences force kx i from the spring and force QE i due to the electric field created by
plate b according to E = / 2e0 = Q / 2 Ae0 . Then,

so

Q2
kx = 2A e
0

F=

x=

Q2
2Ae0 k

where A is the area of one plate.

26.37

The energy transferred is W = 21 Q( V ) = 21 (50.0 C)(1.00 108 V) = 2.50 10 9 J and 1% of this (or
W' = 2.50 107 J) is absorbed by the tree. If m is the amount of water boiled away, then
W' = m(4186 J/kg C)(100 C 30.0 C) + m(2.26 106 J/kg) = 2.50 107 J
giving

m = 9.79 kg

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

94

Chapter 26 Solutions

26.38

U=

1
R
kQ
kQ
2
C( V ) where C = 4 e0 R =
and V = e 0 = e
2
ke
R
R

U=

1 R keQ
keQ 2
=

2 ke R
2R
2

keQ 2
= mc 2
2R

26.39

R=

ke e 2
(8.99 10 9 N m 2 / C)(1.60 10 19 C)2
=
= 1.40 fm
2
2 mc
2(9.11 10 31 kg)(3.00 108 m / s)2

*26.40

C=

0 A
4.90(8.85 1012 F/m)(5.00 104 m2)
=
= 1.08 1011 F = 10.8 pF
d
2.00 103 m

*26.41 (a)

C=

0 A
2.10(8.85 1012 F/m)(1.75 104 m2)
=
= 8.13 1011 F = 81.3 pF
d
4.00 105 m

(b)

Vmax = Emax d = (60.0 106 V/m)(4.00 105 m) = 2.40 kV

Qmax = C (Vmax), but Vmax = Emax d

*26.42

0 A
d
0 A
Thus, Qmax = d (Emax d) = 0 AEmax
Also, C =

(a)

With air between the plates, = 1.00 and Emax = 3.00 106 V/m. Therefore,
Qmax = 0 AEmax = (8.85 1012 F/m)(5.00 104 m2)(3.00 106 V/m) = 13.3 nC

(b)

With polystyrene between the plates, = 2.56 and Emax = 24.0 106 V/m.
Qmax = 0 AEmax = 2.56(8.85 1012 F/m)(5.00 104 m2)(24.0 106 V/m) = 272 nC

26.43

C=

0 A
d

or

Chapter 26 Solutions

= 1.04 m

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95

96

Chapter 26 Solutions
Consider two sheets of aluminum foil, each 40 cm by 100 cm, with one sheet of
plastic between them. Suppose the plastic has 3, Emax ~ 107 V/m and thickness
1 mil = 2.54 cm/1000. Then,

*26.44

C=

0 A
3(8.85 1012 C2/N m2)(0.4 m2)
~
~ 106 F
d
2.54 105 m

2.54 10 5 m ~ 10 2 V
Vmax = Emax d ~ 107

*26.45 (a)
(b)

With air between the plates, we find

C0 =

Q
V

48.0 C
= 4.00 F
12.0 V

When Teflon is inserted, the charge remains the same (48.0 C) because the plates are isolated.
However, the capacitance, and hence the voltage, changes. The new capacitance is
C' = C 0 = 2.10(4.00 F) = 8.40 F

(c)

The voltage on the capacitor now is

Q
48.0 C
V' = C' =
8.40 F = 5.71 V

and the charge is 48.0 C

Originally, C =0 A / d = Q /(V)i

26.46
(a)

The charge is the same before and after immersion, with value Q = 0 A(V)i / d .
Q=

(b)

(8.85 10 12 C 2 )(25.0 10 4 m 2 )(250 V)

= 369 pC
N m 2 (1.50 10 2 m)

Cf =

80.0(8.85 10 12 C 2 )(25.0 10 4 m 2 )
= 118 pF
N m 2 (1.50 10 2 m)

(V) f =
(c)

C f = 0 A / d = Q /(V)f

Finally,

A(V)i d (V)i 250 V

Qd
= 0
=
=
= 3.12 V
80.0
0 A
0 A d

0 A(V)i2
2d

Originally,

U = 21 C(V)i2 =

Finally,

U f = 21 C f (V) f =

So,

U =

U = U f U =

0 A(V) i2 0 A(V) i2
=
2d
2d 2

0 A(V)i2 ( 1)
2d

( 8.85 10 12 C 2)( 25.0 10 4 m 2 )(250 V)2 (79.0)

= 45.5 nJ
N m 2 2(1.50 10 2 m)80

Chapter 26 Solutions
k (b a) ke (c b)
1
1
1
=
+
= e
+
C 1ab 2bc
1ab
2bc
k (b a) k (c b)
e
e

26.47

C=

26.48

97

1 2 abc
1
=
=
ke (b a) ke (c b) ke 2 (bc ac) + ke 1 (ac ab)
+
1 ab
2bc

4 1 2 abc0
2bc 1ab + ( 1 2 )ac

0 A (173)(8.85 10 12 )(1.00 10 4 m 2 )
=
= 1.53 nF
d
0.100 10 3 m

(a)

C = C0 =

(b)

The battery delivers the free charge

Q = C (V) = (1.53 10-9 F)(12.0 V) = 18.4 nC

(c)

The surface density of free charge is

Q 18.4 10 9 C
=
= 1.84 10-4 C/m2
A 1.00 10 4 m 2

The surface density of polarization charge is

1
1
p = 1 = 1
= 1.83 10-4 C/m2

173
(d) We have E = E0/ and E0 = V/d ; hence,
E=

26.49

V
12.0 V
=
= 694 V/m
d (173)(1.00 10 4 m)

The given combination of capacitors is equivalent to the circuit

diagram shown to the right.
Put charge Q on point A . Then,
Q = (40.0 F)V AB = (10.0 F)VBC = (40.0 F)VCD
So, VBC = 4 V AB = 4 VCD , and the center capacitor will break down first, at VBC = 15.0 V.
When this occurs,
VAB = VCD = 41 ( VBC ) = 3.75 V
and V AD = V AB + VBC + VCD = 3.75 V + 15.0 V + 3.75 V = 22.5 V

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

98

Chapter 26 Solutions

*26.50 (a)

The displacement from negative to positive charge is

2a = ( 1.20 i + 1.10 j) mm (1.40 i 1.30 j) mm = ( 2.60i + 2.40 j) 10 3 m
The electric dipole moment is

p = 2aq = 3.50 10 9 C ( 2.60i + 2.40 j) 10 3 m =

(b)

(9.10i + 8.40 j) 1012 C m

] [

= p E = ( 9.10i + 8.40 j) 10 12 C m (7.80i 4.90 j) 10 3 N C

= ( + 44.6 k 65.5k ) 10 9 N m = 2.09 10 8 N m k

(c)

][

U = p E = ( 9.10i + 8.40 j) 10 12 C m (7.80i 4.90 j) 10 3 N C

U = (71.0 + 41.2) 10 9 J = 112 nJ

(d)

p =

(9.10)2 + (8.40)2 10 12

E =

(7.80)2 + ( 4.90)2 103

U max = p

E = 114 nJ,

C m = 12.4 10 12 C m

N C = 9.21 10 3 N C

U min = 114 nJ

U max U min = 228 nJ

*26.51 (a)

Let x represent the coordinate of the negative charge.

Then x + 2acos is the coordinate of the positive charge.
The force on the negative charge is F = qE( x ) i. The
force on the positive charge is

F-

(b)

The balloon creates field along the x axis of

Thus,

F = F + F+ = q

dE
dE
(2acos ) i = p cos i
dx
dx

ke q
i.
x2

dE ( 2)ke q
=
dx
x3

At x = 16.0 cm ,

)(

9
6
MN
dE ( 2) 8.99 10 2.00 10
=
= 8.78
3
Cm
dx
(0.160)

dE
F + = +qE( x + 2acos ) i qE( x ) i + q ( 2acos ) i
dx
The force on the dipole is altogether

F+

cos 0 i = 55.3 i mN
F = 6.30 10 9 C m 8.78 106

C m

Chapter 26 Solutions
qin
0

2 r E =

26.52

so

r2

r2

r1

r1

V = E dr =

E=

dr =
ln 1
2 r 0
2 0 r2

99

2 r 0

max
= Emax rinner
2 0
V

25.0
(0.100 10 3 m) ln
V = 1.20 106

0.200
m

*26.53 (a)

Consider a gaussian surface in the form of a cylindrical pillbox with ends of area A << A
parallel to the sheet. The side wall of the cylinder passes no flux of electric field since this
surface is everywhere parallel to the field. Gausss law becomes
EA + EA =

(b)

Q
A ,
A

so

E=

Q
2A

Q
A

Assume that the field is in the positive x direction. Then, the potential of the positive plate
relative to the negative plate is
V =

+ plate

plate

E ds =

+ plate

plate

Q
i ( i dx ) =
A

(d) Capacitance is defined by: C =

26.54

directed away from the positive sheet.

In the space between the sheets, each creates field Q 2 A away from the positive and toward
the negative sheet. Together, they create a field of
E=

(c)

Vmax = 579 V

1
1
C = 3.00 +
6.00

(c)

Qac = Cac (Vac) = (2.00 F)(90.0 V) = 180 C

Qd
A

Q
Q
A 0 A
=
=
=
V Qd A
d
d

(a)

Therefore,

1
1
+ 2.00 + 4.00

= 3.33 F

Q3 = Q6 = 180 C

Qdf = Cdf V df = (1.33 F )(90.0 V ) = 120 C

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100 Chapter 26 Solutions

(b)

V 3 =

Q3
180 C
=
= 60.0 V
C3
3.00 F

V 6 =

Q6
180 C
=
= 30.0 V
C6
6.00 F

V 2 =

Q2
120 C
=
= 60.0 V
C2
2.00 F

V 4 =

Q4
120 C
=
= 30.0 V
C4
4.00 F

(d) UT = 2 C eq (V)2 = 2 (3.33 106)(90.0 V) 2 = 13.4 mJ

*26.55

The electric field due to the charge on the positive wire is perpendicular to the wire, radial,
and of magnitude
E+ =

2 0 r

The potential difference between wires due to the presence of this charge is
V1 =

+wire
wire

E dr =

2 0

Dd

dr

D d
=
ln
r
2 0 d

The presence of the linear charge density on the negative wire makes an identical
contribution to the potential difference between the wires. Therefore, the total potential
difference is
V = 2( V1 ) =

D d
ln
0 d

and the capacitance of this system of two wires, each of length , is

The capacitance per unit length is:

Chapter 26 Solutions 101

26.56

(a)

We use Equation 26.11 to find the potential energy. As we will see, the potential difference
V changes as the dielectric is withdrawn. The initial and final energies are
1 Q 2
Ui = 2 C
i

and Uf =

1 Q 2

2 Cf

But the initial capacitance (with the dielectric) is Ci = C f. Therefore,

1 Q 2
Uf = 2
Ci

Since the work done by the external force in removing the dielectric equals the change i n
potential energy, we have
Q 2
1
W = Uf Ui = 2 C
i

1 Q 2

2 Ci

1 Q 2
( 1)
2 Ci

To express this relation in terms of potential difference V i , we substitute Q = Ci (V i), and

evaluate:
1

W = 2 C i (V i)2( 1) = 2 (2.00 109 F)(100 V) 2(5.00 1.00) = 4.00 105 J

The positive result confirms that the final energy of the capacitor is greater than the initial
energy. The extra energy comes from the work done o n the system by the external force that
pulled out the dielectric.
(b)

Q
The final potential difference across the capacitor is V f = C
f
Substituting C f =

Ci
and Q = Ci (Vi) gives

Vf = Vi = (5.00)(100 V) = 500 V

Even though the capacitor is isolated and its charge remains constant, the potential difference
across the plates does increase in this case.

= 3.00, Emax = 2.00 108 V/m = Vmax /d

26.57

For

26.58

(a)

C1 =

C=

e0 A
= 0.250 106 F,
d

A=

(0.250 106)(4000)
Cd C( Vmax )
=
=
= 0.188 m2
(3.00)(8.85 1012)(2.00 108)
e0
e0Emax

1 e0 A/2
;
d

1 + 1
C 2 C 3

C2 =

2 e0 A/2
;
d/2

C3 =

3 e0 A/2
d/2

e0 A 2 3
C 2C 3
= C
= d

2 + C3
2 + 3

1
1
C = C1 + + C
C 2
3

e0 A 1
2 3
d 2 + 2 + 3

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102 Chapter 26 Solutions

(b)

Using the given values we find:

Ctotal = 1.76 1012 F = 1.76 pF

Chapter 26 Solutions 103

26.59

The system may be considered to be two capacitors in series:

C1 =

e0 A
t1

and

e0 A
t2

C2 =

1
1
1
t1 + t2
C = C1 + C2 = e0 A
C=

e0 A
e0 A
t1 + t2 = s d

Goal Solution
A conducting slab of a thickness d and area A is inserted into the space between the plates of a parallelplate capacitor with spacing s and surface area A, as shown in Figure P26.59. The slab is not necessarily
halfway between the capacitor plates. What is the capacitance of the system?
G: It is difficult to predict an exact relationship for the capacitance of this system, but we can reason that
C should increase if the distance between the slab and plates were decreased (until they touched and
formed a short circuit). So maybe C 1/ ( s d) . Moving the metal slab does not change the amount
of charge the system can store, so the capacitance should therefore be independent of the slab position.
The slab must have zero net charge, with each face of the plate holding the same magnitude of charge
as the outside plates, regardless of where the slab is between the plates.
O: If the capacitor is charged with + Q on the top plate and Q on the bottom plate, then free charges
will move across the conducting slab to neutralize the electric field inside it, with the top face of the
slab carrying charge Q and the bottom face carrying charge + Q. Then the capacitor and slab
combination is electrically equivalent to two capacitors in series. (We are neglecting the slight
fringing effect of the electric field near the edges of the capacitor.) Call x the upper gap, so that
s d x is the distance between the lower two surfaces.
A : For the upper capacitor,

C1 = 0 A x

and the lower has

C2 =

So the combination has

C=

0 A
sdx

A
1
1
=
= 0
1
1
x
sdx sd
+
+
C1 C2 0 A
0 A

L : The equivalent capacitance is inversely proportional to ( s d) as expected, and is also proportional to

A . This result is the same as for the special case in Example 26.9 when the slab is just halfway
between the plates; the only critical factor is the thickness of the slab relative to the plate spacing.

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

104 Chapter 26 Solutions

26.60

(a)

(b)

Put charge Q on the sphere of radius a and Q on the other sphere. Relative to V = 0 at
infinity,
k eQ
k eQ
the potential at the surface of a is
Va = a d
k eQ
k eQ
+
b
d

and the potential of b is

Vb =

The difference in potential is

Va Vb =

and

C=

k eQ
k eQ
k eQ
k eQ
+

a
b
d
d

Q
4 0
V a V b = (1 a) + (1 b) ( 2 d)

As d , 1/d becomes negligible compared to 1/a. Then,

C=

4 0
1 a+1 b

and

1
1
1
=
+
C
4 0 a
4 0 b

as for two spheres in series.

Note that the potential difference between the plates is held constant at

26.61

Ci =

q0
Vi

and C f =

But C f = Ci ,
Thus, =

26.62

so

qf
Vi

q0 + q
Vi

q
q0 + q
= 0
Vi
Vi

q0 + q
q
or = 1 +
q0
q0

(a)

(b)

(c)

U = 21 C( V )2 =

F =

dU
=
dx

to the left

Vi by the battery.

Chapter 26 Solutions 105

(d)

F=

(2000)2 (8.85 10 12 )(0.0500)(4.50 1)

= 1.55 10 3 N
2(2.00 10 3 )

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

106 Chapter 26 Solutions

The portion of the capacitor nearly filled by metal has capacitance 0 ( x) d and stored
energy Q 2 2C 0 . The unfilled portion has capacitance 0 ( x ) d. The charge on this
portion is Q = ( x)Q0 / .

*26.63

(a)

The stored energy is

(b)

F=

dU
=
dx

F=

to the right

(c)

(d)

26.64

Gasoline:

Battery:

Capacitor:

1.00 m 3

1.00 gal
Btu
J
J
= 5.25 107
126 000 gal 1054 Btu

-3
3
kg

3.786 10 m 670 kg

(12.0

J C)(100 C s)( 3600 s)

= 2.70 10 5 J kg
16.0 kg

1 0.100
2(

F )(12.0 V )

0.100 kg

= 72.0 J kg

Gasoline has 194 times the specific energy content of the battery
and 727 000 times that of the capacitor

Chapter 26 Solutions 107

26.65

Call the unknown capacitance Cu

Q = Cu (Vi ) = (Cu + C)(V f )

Cu =

C(V f )
(Vi ) (V f )

(10.0 F)( 30.0 V)

= 4.29 F
(100 V 30.0 V)

Goal Solution
An isolated capacitor of unknown capacitance has been charged to a potential difference of 100 V. W h e n
the charged capacitor is then connected in parallel to an uncharged 10.0- F capacitor, the voltage across
the combination is 30.0 V. Calculate the unknown capacitance.
G: The voltage of the combination will be reduced according to the size of the added capacitance.
(Example: If the unknown capacitance were C = 10.0 F, then V1 = 50.0 V because the charge is now
distributed evenly between the two capacitors.) Since the final voltage is less than half the original,
we might guess that the unknown capacitor is about 5.00 F.
O: We can use the relationships for capacitors in parallel to find the unknown capacitance, along with
the requirement that the charge on the unknown capacitor must be the same as the total charge o n
the two capacitors in parallel.
A : We name our ignorance and call the unknown capacitance Cu . The charge originally deposited o n
each plate, + on one, on the other, is
Q = Cu V = Cu (100 V )
Now in the new connection this same conserved charge redistributes itself between the two capacitors
according to Q = Q1 + Q2 .
Q1 = Cu ( 30.0 V ) and

Q2 = (10.0 F )( 30.0 V ) = 300 C

We can eliminate Q and Q1 by substitution:

Cu (100 V ) = Cu ( 30.0 V ) + 300 C

so

Cu =

300 C
= 4.29 F
70.0 V

L : The calculated capacitance is close to what we expected, so our result seems reasonable. In this and
other capacitance combination problems, it is important not to confuse the charge and voltage of the
system with those of the individual components, especially if they have different values. Careful
attention must be given to the subscripts to avoid this confusion. It is also important to not confuse
the variable C for capacitance with the unit of charge, C for coulombs.

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

108 Chapter 26 Solutions

Put five 6.00 pF capacitors in series.

26.66

The potential difference across any one of the capacitors will

be:
V =

Vmax 1000 V
=
= 200 V
5
5

and the equivalent capacitance is:

1
1
= 5

Ceq
6.00 pF

or Ceq =

6.00 pF
= 1.20 pF
5

When V db = 0, V bc = V dc , and

26.67

Also, V ba = V da

or

Q2 Q3
=
C2 C3

Q1 Q4
=
C1 C4

C Q Q
From these equations we have C2 = 3 2 4 C1
C4 Q1 Q3
However, from the properties of capacitors in series, we have
Therefore,

C
9.00
C2 = 3 C1 =
(4.00 F) = 3.00 F
12.0
C4

Let C = the capacitance of an individual capacitor, and Cs represent the equivalent capacitance
of the group in series. While being charged in parallel, each capacitor receives charge

26.68

Q = C Vchg = (5.00 10-4 F)(800 V) = 0.400 C

While being discharged in series,
Vdisch =

Q
Q
0.400 C
=
=
= 8.00 kV
Cs C / 10 5.00 10 5 F

or 10 times the original voltage.

26.69

Q 1 = Q 2 and Q 3 = Q 4

(a)

C0 =

0 A Q0
=
d
V0

When the dielectric is inserted at constant voltage,

Chapter 26 Solutions 109

C = C0 =

U=

Q
;
V0

U0 =

C0 (V0 )2
2

C(V0 )2 C0 (V0 )2
=
2
2

and

U
=
U0

The extra energy comes from (part of the) electrical work done by the battery in separating the
extra charge.
(b)

Q0 = C0 V0

and

Q = C V0 = C0 V0 so

Q /Q 0 =

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110 Chapter 26 Solutions

26.70

(a)

A slice of width (dx) at coordinate x in 0 x L has thickness x d /L filled with dielectric 2,

and d x d /L is filled with the material having constant 1. This slice has a capacitance given
by
1
1
xd
dL xd
1
xd + 2 dL 2 xd
=
+
=
+
= 1

e
(dx)W

e
(dx)W
dC 2 0
1 2 e0WL( dx )
1 0
2 e0 W L(dx) 1 e0 W L(dx)

xd / L d xd / L
dC =

1 2 e0 W L(dx)
2 dL + ( 1 2 )xd

The whole capacitor is all the slices in parallel:

C = dC =

x=0

C=
(b)

1 2 e0W L(dx)
e WL
1
= 1 2 0
( 2Ld + ( 1 2 )xd) ( 1 2 )d(dx)
2 Ld + ( 1 2 )xd ( 1 2 )d x=0

L
1 2 e0 W L
e WL
ln [ 2 Ld + ( 1 2 )xd] = 1 2 0
[ln 1Ld ln 2Ld] =
0
( 1 2 )d
( 1 2 )d

1 2 e0 W L

ln 1
2
( 1 2 )d

To take the limit 1 2 , write 1 = 2 (1 + x) and let x 0. Then

C=

22 (1 + x)e0 W L
ln (1 + x)
( 2 + 2 x 2 )d

Use the expansion of ln(1 + x) from Appendix B.5.

C=

22 (1 + x) 0 W L
(1 + x) 0 W L
(x 21 x 2 + 31 x 3 . . . ) = 2
(1 21 x + . . . )
2 xd
d

lim C =

x0

26.71

2 0 W L
0 A
=
d
d

The vertical orientation sets up two capacitors in parallel, with equivalent capacitance
Cp =

0 ( A 2) 0 ( A 2) + 1 0 A
+
=
2 d
d
d

where A is the area of either plate and d is the separation of the plates. The horizontal
orientation produces two capacitors in series. If f is the fraction of the horizontal capacitor
filled with dielectric, the equivalent capacitance is
fd
(1 f )d = f + (1 f ) d , or
1
=
+

Cs 0 A
0 A

0 A
Requiring that Cp = Cs gives

0 A

Cs =

f + (1 f ) d

+1

=
, or ( + 1)[ f + (1 f )] = 2
2
f + (1 f )

For = 2.00, this yields 3.00[2.00 (1.00) f ] = 4.00 , with the solution f = 2 / 3 .

Chapter 26 Solutions 111

26.72

Initially (capacitors charged in parallel),

q1 = C1(V) = (6.00 F)(250 V) = 1500 C
q2 = C2(V) = (2.00 F)(250 V) = 500 C
After reconnection (positive plate to negative plate),
qtotal
= q1 q2 = 1000 C

V =

and

qtotal

1000 C
=
= 125 V
Ctotal 8.00 F

Therefore,
q1 = C1(V ) = (6.00 F)(125 V) = 750 C
q2 = C2 (V ) = (2.00 F)(125 V) = 250 C

26.73

Emax occurs at the inner conductor's surface.

Emax =

2ke
from Equation 24.7.
a

V = 2ke ln
Emax =

b
from Example 26.2
a

V
a ln(b / a)

Vmax = Emax a ln

26.74

E=

2
;
a

b
3.00
= (18.0 106 V / m)(0.800 10 3 m) ln
= 19.0 kV
0.800
a

V = 2 ln

Vmax = Emax a ln

b
a

b
a

b
dVmax
1 b
+ a
= Emax ln
=0

b / a a2
a
da

ln

b
=1
a

or

b
= e1
a

b
so a = e

2000 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

112 Chapter 26 Solutions

26.75

Assume a potential difference across a and b, and notice that the potential difference across the
8.00 F capacitor must be zero by symmetry. Then the equivalent capacitance can be
determined from the following circuit:

Cab = 3.00 F

26.76

By symmetry, the potential difference across 3C is zero, so the circuit reduces to

Ceq =

4
(2C)(4C) 8
= C= 3C
2C + 4C 6