Consider the Earth and a cloud layer 8.0 x 10 m above the planet to be the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. (a) If the cloud layer has an area of 1.0 km² = 1.0 x 10° m2, what is the capacitance? (b) If an electric field strength greater than 3.0 x 10° N/C causes the air to break down and conduct charge (lightning), what is the maximum charge the cloud can hold?

Consider the Earth and a cloud layer 8.0 x 10 m above the planet to be the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. (a) If the cloud layer has an area of 1.0 km² = 1.0 x 10° m2, what is the capacitance? (b) If an electric field strength greater than 3.0 x 10° N/C causes the air to break down and conduct charge (lightning), what is the maximum charge the cloud can hold?

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology Update (No access codes included)

9th Edition

ISBN:9781305116399

Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Chapter26: Capacitance And Dielectrics

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 26.6P: (a) Regarding (lie Earth and a cloud layer 800 m above the Earth as the plates of a capacitor,...

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