Lesson 3.4 - Parallel Plates

VIDEO LESSON (29:58 min)
Video is not accessible in some countries. If you cannot view it, you might need VPN to do so.

ELECTRIC FIELD NEAR A CONDUCTOR

Recall: Electric Field around Point charge

What happens if we extend the charge into a line (or a plane)?

PARALLEL PLATES

Consider two "stretched" out point charges




Conditions: Plates ratio of size to separation is very large!

The electric field intensity (E) between two parallel plates is uniform. (Doesn't depend on position).

The magnitude of the electric field is proportional to the charge density on the plates (charge / area of the plate), i.e.

where \( \epsilon_o =8.85 \times 10^{-12} \frac{C^2}{N \cdot m^2}=\frac{1}{4 \pi k} \) is the permittivity of free space.

Electric intensity is almost zero outside of the plate (except for fringe effects).

EXAMPLE PROBLEM #1

A pair of conducting plates are mounted 10.0 cm apart. A test charge of \( -3.0 \mu C \) is placed at 5.0 cm from one plate. It experiences a force of \( 450 \mu C \) towards the positive plate.
a) Determine the electric field, \( \vec{E} \)
b) What is the electric field intensity at 1.0 cm from the positive plate.
c) How could you double the field strength?

SOLUTION:


POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE AND PARALLEL PLATES



EXAMPLE PROBLEM #2

Two parallel plates are 6.0cm apart and the electric potential between them is 60.0V.
a) What is the electric field intensity between the two plates
b) What is the potential difference at a point 1.0cm from the positive plate

SOLUTION:

MILLIKAN OIL DROP APPARATUS


最后修改: 2025年06月19日 星期四 18:36