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specone
Sep22-10, 03:15 PM
Upon calculating the electric field for a plate of charge, you arrive at:

E = Q/Ae (Q the charge on the plate, A the area of the plate, e the permittivity of the dielectic)

But then, isn't the total electric field between the plates twice this because of the equal but opposite charge on the other plate?

I always see it written without a factor of 2.

cragar
Sep23-10, 01:49 AM
which way is the E field going , make a Gauss pillbox around the capacitor .

Drakkith
Sep23-10, 02:01 AM
Upon calculating the electric field for a plate of charge, you arrive at:

E = Q/Ae (Q the charge on the plate, A the area of the plate, e the permittivity of the dielectic)

But then, isn't the total electric field between the plates twice this because of the equal but opposite charge on the other plate?

I always see it written without a factor of 2.

Is that equation only for the charge on 1 plate, or for both plates? Looks to me like it is only for the 1 plate based on your post.