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In a Van de Graaff type generator, a spherical metal shell is to be 15×10⁶V electrode. The dielectric strength of the gas surrounding the electrode is 5×10⁷Vm⁻¹. The minimum radius of the spherical shell required is :
A. 1m
B. 2m
C. 1.5m
D. 3m

Answer :

Final answer:

The minimum radius required for the Van de Graaff generator's spherical metal shell to prevent dielectric breakdown is 3 meters, corresponding to option D.

Explanation:

The subject of the question is to find the minimum radius of a spherical metal shell in a Van de Graaff generator where the dielectric strength of the surrounding gas is known, and the shell's potential is given. The formula to use is V = kQ/r, where V is the potential on the sphere, Q is the charge, and r is the radius of the sphere. However, in this context, we are concerned with the dielectric strength and potential leading to a breakdown, so we're interested in the maximum electric field E that can exist at the surface of the sphere before breakdown occurs, given by E = V/r. By rearranging the formula to solve for r, we have r = V/E. Given that the potential V is 15 × 10⁶ V and the dielectric strength E of the gas is 5 × 10⁷ Vm⁻¹, the minimum radius r can be calculated.

Substituting the given values:

r = V/E = (15 × 10⁶ V) / (5 × 10⁷ Vm⁻¹) =

r = 3 meters

Therefore, the minimum radius required for the spherical metal shell to prevent dielectric breakdown is 3 meters, which corresponds to option D in the multiple-choice answers.

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