a) C = epsilon*A/d = 0.65*10^-6 F
b) Q = CV = 22.7 coulombs
c) E = (1/2) C V^2 = 400*10^6 J
A is the cloud base area, 110*10^6 m^2
d = 1500 m "plate separation"
epsilon = 8.85*10^-12 Farad/m
Check my numbers
In lightning storms, the potential difference between the earth and the bottom of the thunderclouds can be as high as 35000000 V.The bottoms of the thunderclouds are typically 1500 m above the earth, and can have an area of 110 km^2. Modelling the earth-cloud system as a huge capacitor,calculate
a)the capacitence of the earth -cloud system,
b)the charge stored in the capacitor and
c)the energy stored in the capacitor.
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