The earth is assumed to be charged conducting sphere having volume $V$ and surface area $A$. The capacitance…

The earth is assumed to be charged conducting sphere having volume $V$ and surface area $A$. The capacitance of the earth in free space is
  1. $\frac{2 \pi \epsilon_0 V}{A}$
  2. $\frac{12 \pi \epsilon_0 V}{A}$
  3. $\frac{8 \pi \epsilon_0 V}{A}$
  4. $\frac{4 \pi \epsilon_0 V}{A}$

Solution

If we assume shape of earth be solid sphere of radius $R$. The ratio of earth volume to surface area: $\frac{V}{A}=\frac{\left(\frac{4}{3} \pi R^3\right)}{4 \pi R^2}=\frac{R}{3}$ or, $R=\frac{3 V}{A}$ The capacitance of earth is, $C_E=4 \pi \epsilon_0 R=4 \pi \epsilon_0\left(\frac{3 V}{A}\right)=\frac{12 \pi \epsilon_0 V}{A}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2022 (10 Aug Shift 1)

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