About 5.0 x 10 m above Earth's surface, the atmosphere is sufficiently ionized that it behaves as a conductor. Earth and the ionosphere form a giant spherical capacitor, with the lower atmosphere acting as a leaky dielectric. (Earth radius 6371 km) 1. Find the capacitance C of the Earth- ionosphere system by treating it as a parallel plate capacitor. Why is it OK to do that? 2. The fair-weather electric field is about 150 V/m, downward. How much energy is stored in this capacitor? 3. Due to radioactivity and cosmic rays, some air molecules are ionized even in fair weather. The resistivity of air is roughly 3.0 x 10¹4 m. Find the resistance of the lower atmosphere and the total current that flows between Earth's surface and the ionosphere. 4. If there were no lightning, the capacitor would discharge. In this model how much time would elapse before Earth's charge were reduced to of its normal value? (thunderstorms are the sources of potential difference that maintain the charge on this leaky capacitor)
About 5.0 x 10 m above Earth's surface, the atmosphere is sufficiently ionized that it behaves as a conductor. Earth and the ionosphere form a giant spherical capacitor, with the lower atmosphere acting as a leaky dielectric. (Earth radius 6371 km) 1. Find the capacitance C of the Earth- ionosphere system by treating it as a parallel plate capacitor. Why is it OK to do that? 2. The fair-weather electric field is about 150 V/m, downward. How much energy is stored in this capacitor? 3. Due to radioactivity and cosmic rays, some air molecules are ionized even in fair weather. The resistivity of air is roughly 3.0 x 10¹4 m. Find the resistance of the lower atmosphere and the total current that flows between Earth's surface and the ionosphere. 4. If there were no lightning, the capacitor would discharge. In this model how much time would elapse before Earth's charge were reduced to of its normal value? (thunderstorms are the sources of potential difference that maintain the charge on this leaky capacitor)
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
Related questions
Concept explainers
Dielectric Constant Of Water
Water constitutes about 70% of earth. Some important distinguishing properties of water are high molar concentration, small dissociation constant and high dielectric constant.
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
An electrostatic force is a force caused by stationary electric charges /fields. The electrostatic force is caused by the transfer of electrons in conducting materials. Coulomb’s law determines the amount of force between two stationary, charged particles. The electric force is the force which acts between two stationary charges. It is also called Coulomb force.
Question
100%
Could you please specify, why I can approximate the formula for spherical capacitor with the parallel plate formula?
Could the answer be related to the earth s radius of curvature?
Transcribed Image Text:About 5.0 x 104 m above Earth's surface, the
atmosphere is sufficiently ionized that it behaves
as a conductor. Earth and the ionosphere form a
giant spherical capacitor, with the lower
atmosphere acting as a leaky dielectric. (Earth
radius 6371 km)
1. Find the capacitance C of the Earth-
ionosphere system by treating it as a parallel
plate capacitor. Why is it OK to do that?
2. The fair-weather electric field is about 150
V/m, downward. How much energy is stored
in this capacitor?
3. Due to radioactivity and cosmic rays, some
air molecules are ionized even in fair
weather. The resistivity of air is roughly
3.0 x 10¹4 m. Find the resistance of the
lower atmosphere and the total current that
flows between Earth's surface and the
ionosphere.
4. If there were no lightning, the capacitor
would discharge. In this model how much
time would elapse before Earth's charge
were reduced to of its normal value?
(thunderstorms are the sources of potential
difference that maintain the charge on this
leaky capacitor.)
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
Step by step
Solved in 6 steps with 7 images
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON