Finding the Capacitance of the Earth

Thread starter SD das
Start date Jan 11, 2017
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Capacitance Earth

In summary, the capacitance of the Earth is calculated using the formula C = Q/V, where Q is the total charge on the Earth's surface and V is the potential difference between the Earth's surface and a point at infinity. The unit of measurement for capacitance is the farad (F), but smaller units such as microfarads (μF) or picofarads (pF) are commonly used. The size and shape of the Earth can affect its capacitance, with a larger Earth having a greater capacitance and a flatter shape having a smaller capacitance. The capacitance of the Earth can change due to changes in the distribution of charge on its surface, which has implications in various applications and in understanding the

Jan 11, 2017

SD das

Suppose that the radius of Earth is 6400 km. Then what will be the capacitance of the Earth in micro farade unit?

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Jan 11, 2017

DrClaude

Mentor

Is this homework?

Jan 11, 2017

SD das

DrClaude said:

Is this homework?

No sir..just self thinking

Jan 11, 2017

jtbell

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Did you try Googling for something like "capacitance of a sphere"? What did you find?

FAQ: Finding the Capacitance of the Earth

How is the capacitance of the Earth calculated?

The capacitance of the Earth is calculated using the formula C = Q/V, where Q is the total charge on the Earth's surface and V is the potential difference between the Earth's surface and a point at infinity.

What is the unit of measurement for capacitance?

The unit of measurement for capacitance is the farad (F). It is a very large unit, so most capacitances are measured in smaller units such as microfarads (μF) or picofarads (pF).

How does the size and shape of the Earth affect its capacitance?

The size and shape of the Earth can affect its capacitance as they determine the distance between the surface and a point at infinity. A larger Earth would have a greater capacitance, while a flatter shape would have a smaller capacitance compared to a more spherical shape.

Can the capacitance of the Earth change?

Yes, the capacitance of the Earth can change due to changes in the distribution of charge on its surface. For example, a thunderstorm can cause a temporary increase in the Earth's capacitance due to the buildup of charge in the clouds.

Why is it important to know the capacitance of the Earth?

Knowing the capacitance of the Earth is important in many applications, such as in the design of electrical systems and grounding techniques. It is also used in understanding the Earth's atmospheric and weather phenomena, as well as in studying the interactions between the Earth and its surrounding environment.