The earth is assumed to be a charged conducting sphere having volume ' $\mathrm{V}^{\prime}$ and surface…

The earth is assumed to be a charged conducting sphere having volume ' $\mathrm{V}^{\prime}$ and surface area 'A'. The capacitance of the earth in free space is $\left(\mathrm{E}_{0}=\right.$ permittivity of free space $)$
  1. $12 \pi \in_{0} \frac{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{A}}$
  2. $4 \pi \in_{0} \frac{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{A}}$
  3. $2 \pi \in_{0} \frac{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{A}}$
  4. $8 \pi \in_{0} \frac{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{A}}$

Solution

If we assume shape of earth be solid spherical. Then, the volume of earth $=4 / 3 \pi \mathrm{R}^{3}$ where $R$ is radius of earth. Given, volume of earth $=\mathrm{V}=4 / 3 \pi \mathrm{R}^{3}$ surface area of earth $=\mathrm{A}=4 \pi \mathrm{R}^{2}$ So, $V / A=\left(4 / 3 R^{3}\right) / 4 \pi R^{2}$ or $\mathrm{V} / \mathrm{A}=\mathrm{R} / 3$ or, $\mathrm{R}=3 \mathrm{~V} / \mathrm{A}$ Now, capacitance of earth $=4 \pi \in_{0} \mathrm{R}$ $=4 \pi \in_{0} \frac{3 \mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{~A}}$ $=\frac{12 \pi \in_{0} \mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{~A}}$.

Asked in: MHT CET 2020 (20 Oct Shift 2)

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