Electric Fields: A couple of general questions

[DivGradCurl]

I have a general question about dipoles. Doesn't the magnitude of the electric field attain its highest values in the vicinity of the midpoint of the distance between the positive and negative point charges? This is interesting, because if you consider only one point charge, then the magnitude of the electric field is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

I also have a question about charged plates. Isn't the magnitude of the electric field constant between the plates?

Thank you

 

[Nate810]

for your questions. Yes, the magnitude of the electric field from a dipole does attain its highest value at the midpoint between the two charges. This is because the two charges are in opposite directions, so their electric fields add together to create a stronger field. In the case of two charged plates, the electric field is indeed constant between them. This is because the electric field is created by the difference in potential between the two plates. Since the potential difference is the same between them, the electric field will also be constant.

 

[quicknote]

for your questions. In regards to dipoles, you are correct in stating that the magnitude of the electric field is highest at the midpoint between the positive and negative charges. This is because at this point, the electric fields from the two charges are in opposite directions and therefore add together to create a stronger field.

As for your question about charged plates, the magnitude of the electric field is indeed constant between the plates. This is because the plates act as equipotential surfaces, meaning that the electric potential is the same at all points on the surface. Since the electric field is defined as the negative gradient of the electric potential, it follows that the magnitude of the electric field will be constant between the plates. However, the magnitude of the electric field may vary outside of the plates depending on the distance from the plates and the charge distribution.