Past exam of the physics 2 paper of the University of Oxford / 2015 resit / 5 / Solution

Let $R_1<R_2$ and put charge per unit length $+{\lambda }_q$ on the inner shell and $-{\lambda }_q$ on the facing outer conductor. For a long coaxial Gaussian surface of radius $r$ in the gap, Gauss's law givesThe electric potential difference between the shells isWith total inner charge $Q={\lambda }_{q}L$, the capacitance isThis assumes a vacuum or approximately air-filled gap and negligible fringing at the ends. A uniform linear dielectric replaces ${ϵ}_0$ by its permittivity. The expression depends on the shell-to-shell potential difference, not on the arbitrary common potential reference.