Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge 2015 Paper 1 Section A A1 Solution 2026-10-20
For a smooth isolated conducting sphere, Gauss's law gives the surface electric field and electric potential . At the specified dielectric strength, . The capacitance of an isolated conducting sphere is , so its capacitor energy isThis is the ideal breakdown-limited energy of a conducting sphere, taking air's permittivity approximately equal to vacuum permittivity and neglecting nearby objects and surface irregularities. The vacuum permittivity used numerically is .[ref]
Fundamental Physical Constants — Complete Listing by National Institute of Standards and Technology and others. 2022 CODATA adjustment, vacuum electric permittivity entry