Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 28 - The Electric Potential - Exercises and Problems - Page 836: 58

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We know that the electric field inside a capacitor is uniform and is given by $$E=\dfrac{\Delta V_C}{d}=\dfrac{Q}{A\epsilon_0}\tag1$$ After a long time of charging the capacitor by connecting it to the battery, both, the battery and the capacitor, must have the same potential difference of $V_B=\Delta V_C=15$ V. Thus, after a long time, the potential difference of the capacitor is 15 V. $$(\Delta V_C)_1=\color{red}{\bf 15}\;\rm V$$ So that, from (1), $$E=\dfrac{15}{0.5\times 10^{-2}}$$ $$E_1=\color{red}{\bf 3000}\;\rm V/m$$ And hence, from (1) too, $$Q=EA\epsilon_0=(3000)\pi (5\times 10^{-2})^2 (8.85\times 10^{-12})$$ $$Q_1=\color{red}{\bf2.1\times 10^{-10}}\;\rm C$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ If we pulled the electrodes away from each other until they were 1.0 cm apart, by using the insulating handles, while the battery was still connected, then the potential difference remains constant. $$(\Delta V_C)_2=\color{red}{\bf 15}\;\rm V$$ $$E_2=\dfrac{(\Delta V_C)_2}{d_2}=\dfrac{15}{1\times 10^{-2}}$$ $$E_2=\color{red}{\bf 1500}\;\rm V/m$$ $$Q_2=E_2A\epsilon_0=(1500)\pi (5\times 10^{-2})^2 (8.85\times 10^{-12})$$ $$Q_2=\color{red}{\bf1.04\times 10^{-10}}\;\rm C$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ Now the potential difference is still unchanged. $$(\Delta V_C)_3=\color{red}{\bf 15}\;\rm V$$ And hence, $$E_3=\dfrac{(\Delta V_C)_3}{d_1}=\dfrac{15}{0.5\times 10^{-2}}$$ $$E_3=\color{red}{\bf 3000}\;\rm V/m$$ $$Q_3=E_3A_3\epsilon_0 =(3000)\pi (10\times 10^{-2})^2 (8.85\times 10^{-12})$$ $$Q_3=\color{red}{\bf 8.34\times 10^{-10}}\;\rm C$$
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