Electric field in parallel plate capacitor

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the magnitude of the force acting on a point charge placed in the middle of an air-filled parallel plate capacitor with given parameters and charges. The correct answer is 4.52 * 10^-6 N and can be found by calculating the electric field between the plates and using it to find the force acting on the point charge.
  • #1
faen
140
0

Homework Statement



The parameters of an air-filled parallel plate capacitor are: d = 5mm and A = 500cm2. The
charge of the electrodes are Q = 10nC and −Q. Inside of the capacitor in the middle point
there is a point charge of 0, 02Q. Find the magnitude of the force acting to the point charge!

Homework Equations



I'm guessing these formulas

C=Q/V = ε0 * A/d

V = E*d

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is supposed to be 4.52 * 10-6 N

However I plug in the values and get 9.02 N.. Am I using the wrong formulas, or am I just calculating it wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You don't want to compute capacitance.

What did you get for the E field between the plates? You can use for example σ = D where σ = surface charge density and D = εE. Or use Gauss' theorem.

Then F = EQ' where Q' = 0.02Q.

The given answer is correct BTW.
 

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical field that is created by electrically charged particles. It represents the force that a charged particle would experience if placed in that field.

How is an electric field created in a parallel plate capacitor?

An electric field is created in a parallel plate capacitor by placing two plates with opposite charges parallel to each other. The electric field is then created between the plates, with the positive charges on one plate and the negative charges on the other.

What is the equation for calculating the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor?

The equation for calculating the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor is E = V/d, where E is the electric field, V is the potential difference between the plates, and d is the distance between the plates.

How does the distance between the plates affect the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor?

The distance between the plates in a parallel plate capacitor is directly proportional to the electric field. This means that as the distance between the plates increases, the electric field decreases and vice versa.

How can the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor be increased?

The electric field in a parallel plate capacitor can be increased by increasing the potential difference between the plates or by decreasing the distance between the plates. This results in a stronger electric field between the plates.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
299
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
371
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
339
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
26
Views
552
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
628
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
949
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
673
Back
Top