Can Metal Plate Connected to +ve Battery Terminal Get Charged?

In summary, when connecting a metal plate to the positive terminal of a battery, it can be charged due to the difference in potential between the plate and the negative terminal. However, the charge on the plate will be small compared to two parallel plates connected to a battery. This is because a single plate has a smaller self capacitance and therefore can hold less charge.
  • #1
bobca117
5
0
Hi,

We know that when we connect the two parallel plates to a battery it will hold a +ve charge on the plate connected to positive terminal and -ve charge on the other plate. If we only connect one plate to the positive terminal, can it be charged? Isn't the positive terminal is at a higher potential and positively charged? If so, can metal plate connected to it become charged? What process governs if it cannot be charged? Since conductors having charges when connected reaches an equilibrium of distribution of charges to maintain same potential, can we expect this in the case of battery with metal plate connected to positive terminal? if not why?

Bob
 
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  • #2
Yes, it will get charged.
But, I wouldn't bother mentioning it to anyone.
Nobody is going to care much about an extra electon or two.

Battery terminals have a relative, to each other, potential.
Saying one has a higher potential doesn't really mean anything.
As in, higher relative to what?
 
  • #3
A single metal plate will have a small self capacitance C_self.
It can be calculated for a simple shape, but will be much less than the capacitance of two plates. The charge on the single plate would be
q=V*C_self.
 

1. Can a metal plate connected to the positive battery terminal get charged?

No, a metal plate connected to the positive battery terminal cannot get charged. Only the negative battery terminal can receive or release electrical charge, while the positive terminal serves as a source of the charge.

2. How does the positive battery terminal charge the metal plate?

The positive battery terminal does not directly charge the metal plate. Instead, it creates an electric field that causes electrons to flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, creating a potential difference. The metal plate, being connected to the positive terminal, does not receive any electrons and therefore does not get charged.

3. Can a metal plate connected to the positive battery terminal store charge?

No, a metal plate connected to the positive battery terminal cannot store charge. In order for a material to store charge, it must have an excess of electrons (negative charge) or a deficiency of electrons (positive charge). The metal plate does not have either of these conditions as it is connected to the positive terminal.

4. Why is the negative battery terminal the only one that can receive or release charge?

The negative battery terminal is made of a material that has a tendency to lose electrons, making it positively charged. This creates an imbalance of charge between the two terminals, allowing for the flow of electrons from the negative to the positive terminal. Therefore, the negative terminal is the only one that can receive or release charge.

5. What happens if a metal plate is connected to both the positive and negative battery terminals?

If a metal plate is connected to both the positive and negative battery terminals, it will not get charged. The electrons will simply flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, equalizing the charge between the two. This creates a short circuit and can be dangerous, leading to overheating or even explosion of the battery.

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