Multiplying epsilon naught by a length quantity

In summary, the formula for capacitance, as well as other derived capacitance formulas, involve a constant multiplied by a quantity with the dimensions of length. In SI units, ##\epsilon_0## is represented as ##\frac{C^2}{N\cdot m^2}## or ##\frac{F}{m}##. The units can also help determine formulas, as seen with the example of capacitance in a sphere, where the only relevant parameters are the radius and ##\epsilon_0##. It is not compatible to use Henry as a unit for capacitance.
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AdrianMachin
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Homework Statement


Note that this formula (##C=4 \pi \epsilon_0 R##) and the others we have derived for capacitance involve the constant multiplied by a quantity that has the dimensions of a length.

Homework Equations


##\epsilon_0## has the following units in SI:
$$\frac {C^2} {N \cdot m^2}$$ or $$\frac F m$$

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know why the textbook states this? Does it mean it results in having the ##F## unit after canceling out the unit of length in SI? A friend told me that we also present ##\epsilon_0## in SI with ##\frac H m##, thus multiplying by a length gives a result in ##H##. I don't see any ##\frac H m## unit for epsilon naught on Wikipedia.
 

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A capacitance has to have F as unit.

The units can help to figure out formulas. Keeping the sphere as an example: The only relevant parameter is its radius, and ##\epsilon_0## of course. How can the capacitance depend on the radius? Well, we have F/m from ##\epsilon_0##. The only way to get F is to multiply by the sphere radius: ##\epsilon_0 R##. Up to a prefactor (here: ##4 \pi##), we know already that this must be the capacitance of a sphere. Spheres have a capacitance proportional to their radius.Henry is not a very compatible unit here. It is ##1H = \frac{kg \,m^2}{C^2}##. Even if you consider 1/H, it still differs by m/s2 and there is no reasonable way to get rid of that difference.
 
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FAQ: Multiplying epsilon naught by a length quantity

1. What is epsilon naught?

Epsilon naught (ε0) is the permittivity of free space, which is a physical constant that describes the ability of a vacuum to permit the passage of electric fields.

2. How is epsilon naught related to length?

Epsilon naught is often multiplied by a length quantity, such as the distance between two charged objects, to calculate the electric force between them.

3. Why is multiplying epsilon naught by a length quantity important?

Multiplying epsilon naught by a length quantity is important because it helps in understanding and calculating the strength of electric fields between charged objects in a vacuum.

4. What are the units of epsilon naught?

Epsilon naught has units of farads per meter (F/m) in the International System of Units (SI).

5. Is the value of epsilon naught always the same?

Yes, the value of epsilon naught is a constant and is the same in all regions of free space. It has a value of approximately 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m.

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