Chapter 26, Problem 36AP

You are working with an oceanographer who is studying how the ion concentration in seawater depends on depth. She shows you the device that she uses to measure the resistivity of water from a boat. It consists of a pair of concentric metallic cylinders at the end of a cable (Fig. P26.36). Seawater flows freely between the two cylindrical shells. She makes a measurement by lowering the device into the water and applying a potential difference ΔV between the inner and outer cylinders. This produces an outward radial current I in the seawater between the shells. She shows you the current and voltage data for the water at a particular depth and is then called away to answer a long call on her cellphone about a laboratory issue back on the mainland. As she leaves, she says, “Have the resistivity of the water calculated when I get back.” She forgot to show you any tables or formulas to use to determine the resistivity, so you are on your own. Quick! Find an expression for the resistivity in terms of I and ΔV before she finishes her phone call!

Figure P26.36