Ludwik... yes, but... two regular capacitors in series is pretty different
than the concentric sphere case where one of the series capacitors is to
infinity.
John Denker nicely pointed out, in response to my message about a regular
capacitor with both plates at positive potential, that this would be like
two capacitors. (1) The obvious capacitor between the plates, and (2) the
capacitance with respect to infinity of the two-plate pair. This would be a
better comparison to the concentric spheres then actually using two ordinary
capacitors in series. And in this case it would behave somewhat the same
way you described for the concentric spheres when you short one out. Short
out the plates on the charged overall-positive parallel plate capacitor and
the net positive charge will distribute itself over both plates, i.e. over
the remaining capacitor with respect to infinity.
Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D. Phone/voice-mail: 419-358-3270
Professor of Chemistry & Physics FAX: 419-358-3323
Chairman, Science Department E-Mail edmiston@bluffton.edu
Bluffton College
280 West College Avenue
Bluffton, OH 45817
Ludwik said..
In other words two capacitors in series, right? The first is
from the inner ball to the outer shell and the second is
from the outer shell to infinity. The outer shell also acts
as a link between the two capacitors. That is a valid point
of view. But look what happens when the first capacitor
is "discharged"; its Q goes to the second capacitor. Try
to shorten one of the two ordinary capacitors in series
and see that what happens is not the same.
Ludwik Kowalski