How is uniform electric field produced?

In summary, uniform electric field can be produced by two parallel plates with opposite charges, where the field remains constant between the plates but decreases as the distance between the plates decreases. This can be explained by treating the plates as infinitely large and using the equations for potential and field from a disc of infinite size. Calculus can also be used to derive the same result by considering the plates to be composed of an infinite number of infinitely long charged lines.
  • #1
ehabmozart
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How is uniform electric field produced? Consider two parallel plates with one +ve and the other -ve. The field depends on the charge producing the field and the distance to a point in between the place. However, in this case, the distance decreases and hence the field decreases and is not constant... Kindly Explain and I am thankful!
 
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  • #2
Assuming the plates are large compared to the distance between them, then the plates can be treated as plates of infinite size, and the potential (voltage) changes with position, but the field between the plates remains constant.

For an explanation, you can start here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/%E2%80%8Chbase/electric/elesht.html#c2

and here for the field from a disc of radius R:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/%E2%80%8Chbase/electric/elelin.html#c3

Note that for the disk of radius R, as R -> ∞ the field becomes independent of the distance z and become E = k σ 2 π . You can also use calculus to get the same result by considering a plane of infinite size to be composed of an infinite number of infinitly long charged lines (with fixed amount of charge per unit length) side by side.
 
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1. What is an electric field?

The electric field is a physical quantity that describes the force exerted on a charged particle by other charged particles in its surroundings.

2. How is a uniform electric field produced?

A uniform electric field is produced by placing two parallel plates with opposite charges next to each other. The electric field between the plates is constant and has the same magnitude and direction at all points.

3. What are the factors that affect the strength of a uniform electric field?

The strength of a uniform electric field is affected by the distance between the two plates and the magnitude of the charges on the plates. The farther the plates are apart and the larger the magnitude of the charges, the stronger the electric field will be.

4. How is the direction of a uniform electric field determined?

The direction of a uniform electric field is always from the positive plate to the negative plate. This is because positive charges repel each other and negative charges attract each other.

5. What are some real-life applications of a uniform electric field?

A uniform electric field is used in various technologies, such as particle accelerators, cathode ray tubes, and capacitors. It is also essential in the study of electromagnetism and is used in experiments and simulations to understand the behavior of charged particles in electric fields.

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