electric field across a parallel plate capacitor

johnj7

Hello,

If I had a potential source (V) , a resistor R, and a parallel plate capacitor,

would the Electric field across the capacitor become

E = (V - IR)/L

L = distance between capacitor

or would the electric field simply become E = V/L

??

thank you!!

Delphi51

How is the circuit set up? Your E = (V - IR)/L would be correct for a purely series circuit. But the current would be zero (or quickly become zero as the capacitor charges) so your second formula is then correct.

LowlyPion

That very much depends on whether the resistor is in series or in || with the capacitor doesn't it?

johnj7

Ah ic, oh okay I understand now.

so if in series,
clearly initially it is

E = (V-IR) /L
but after the capcitor is fully charged then E = V/L

however if in parallel from the start then

E = V/L, always

would this be correct?

Delphi51

If the V, R and C are all in parallel then they all have the same potential V.