Does the universe has a capacitance?

In summary, the question of whether the universe has a capacitance arises when considering the units of permittivity of space, which can be written as farads/meter. However, as there is no electrically contiguous surface in the universe, there cannot be a universal capacitance.
  • #1
shpongle
Does the universe has a capacitance?
 
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  • #2
The units of permittivity of space can be written as farads/meter.
 
  • #3
shpongle said:
The units of permittivity of space can be written as farads/meter.

so, do we multiply [itex] \epsilon_0 [/itex] by the number of meters across the known universe (which might be something like [itex]c[/itex] times 13.7 billion years)? is the capacitance of the universe growing as the universe expands?
 
  • #4
rbj said:
so, do we multiply [itex] \epsilon_0 [/itex] by the number of meters across the known universe (which might be something like [itex]c[/itex] times 13.7 billion years)? is the capacitance of the universe growing as the universe expands?

That is what I meant.

I don't even know if it is a valid question but it occurred to me a few hours ago while I was trying to understand permittivity, which appears as a proportionality constant in the Gauss' Law.
 
  • #5
No, because it does not have an electrically contiguous surface.

The capacitance of a thing defines its electrical potential given a state of charge on it. As the charge cannot distribute itself on any 'universal' structure (as no such structure exists), so there can be no 'universal' capacitance.
 

FAQ: Does the universe has a capacitance?

Does the universe have a capacitance?

The concept of capacitance is typically associated with electronic circuits and devices. In this context, the universe as a whole does not have a capacitance. However, certain physical phenomena within the universe, such as the Earth's atmosphere, can exhibit capacitance.

How can capacitance be related to the universe?

Capacitance can be related to the universe through the study of electromagnetic fields and the behavior of charged particles. The concept of capacitance can also be applied to explain certain natural phenomena, such as lightning and the formation of clouds.

Is there any scientific evidence for the universe having a capacitance?

There is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that the universe as a whole has a capacitance. However, there have been studies that suggest the presence of capacitance-like behavior in certain astronomical objects, such as charged particles in interstellar space.

Can capacitance affect the behavior of the universe?

As mentioned before, capacitance is typically associated with electronic circuits and devices. Therefore, the universe as a whole is not affected by capacitance. However, the behavior of certain objects or phenomena within the universe may be influenced by capacitance.

How does the concept of capacitance tie into the theory of the Big Bang?

There is no direct connection between the concept of capacitance and the Big Bang theory. The Big Bang theory explains the origins and expansion of the universe, while capacitance is a concept related to electrical phenomena. However, some scientists have proposed the idea that the early universe may have exhibited capacitance-like behavior due to the presence of charged particles and electromagnetic fields.

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