Moving Conductor in a Fringing E Field

In summary, a conductor, specifically a metal string, is moving in an electric field. The string is under mechanical tension and is electrically connected to a resistor. The other end of the resistor is connected to the remaining end of the string. The electric field is produced by an electret material that is near the string, but not part of the circuit. The string moves towards and away from the electret, which has a non-conducting surface and produces a non-uniform field. Due to the diminishing intensity of the electric field with distance, the string is in a static but fringing field. Based on physical intuition, it is unlikely that there will be a time varying current in the string corresponding to its movement in the field.
  • #1
jamesadrian
33
2
A conductor, like a metal string, is moving in an electric field.

The metal string is under mechanical tension and is electrically connected to a resistor. The other end of the resistor is connected to the remaining end of the string.

The electrical field is the static field of an electret material that is not part of the above circuit. The electret is near the string. The string moves sometimes toward the electret and sometimes away from the electret. The surface of the electret is non-conducting and it is not touching the string or the resistor. The field that the electret produces in not uniform. The intensity of its electric field diminishes with distance away from it. The string is therefore in a static but fringing field.

Will there be a time varying current in the string that corresponds to the movement of the string in the field?

Thank you for your help.

James Adrian
 
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  • #2
Intuitively, no. Why should there be? [Not a rhetorical question]
PS. My physical intuition is far from infallible.
 

1. What is a moving conductor in a fringing E field?

A moving conductor in a fringing E field refers to a situation where a conductor, such as a wire or a metal plate, is moving in an electric field that is not uniform. This can occur when the conductor is placed near the edges of the electric field, where the field lines are not straight and parallel.

2. What causes a fringing E field?

A fringing E field is caused by the presence of an electric charge near an object, such as a conductor, that is not perfectly flat or uniform. This can occur when the electric field lines are distorted by the shape of the object, resulting in a non-uniform electric field around it.

3. How does a moving conductor in a fringing E field behave?

A moving conductor in a fringing E field will experience a force, known as the Lorentz force, when it is moving perpendicular to the electric field lines. This force is proportional to the velocity of the conductor and the strength of the electric field.

4. What are some real-world applications of a moving conductor in a fringing E field?

One example of a real-world application is in electric motors, where a wire or a metal plate is placed in a non-uniform electric field and experiences a force that causes it to rotate. Another application is in particle accelerators, where charged particles are accelerated by moving them through a fringing E field.

5. How can the behavior of a moving conductor in a fringing E field be predicted?

The behavior of a moving conductor in a fringing E field can be predicted using mathematical equations, such as the Lorentz force law and Maxwell's equations. These equations take into account factors such as the velocity and charge of the conductor, as well as the strength and direction of the electric field, to determine the resulting force on the conductor.

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