Charge Separation: Effects of Electric Field Intensity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of electric field intensity on charge separation in conductors and dielectrics. Participants explore the nature of this separation, questioning whether it can be considered quantum and how it varies with field intensity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that charge separation occurs in conductors when subjected to an electric field, with varying degrees of separation depending on field intensity.
  • Another participant clarifies that the term "kernels" refers to fixed positive charges in the conductor, and explains that the displacement of conduction electrons creates a slight electric dipole moment, resulting in a counter electric field that prevents a net electric field within the conductor.
  • There is a question raised about whether the charge separation is quantized, with one participant asserting that it is not, while another participant emphasizes the need to consider different configurations, such as a plate in an electric field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of charge separation and whether it can be considered quantum. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the nature of charge separation in different configurations, such as wires versus plates, and the implications of electric field intensity on these configurations.

dE_logics
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When a conductor is made to experience a field, there's a separation of kernels and electrons...now depending on the intensity of this fields, the degree of separation varies.

Now is this separation quantum?...I mean at one end there're absolutely no electrons, while in the other we have evenly distributed electrons.
 
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ahem...
 
By kernels, I presume you mean the fixed positive charges in the conductor that do not move.. When the wire (conductor) is in an electric field (aligned along the E field), there is a very small displacement of the electrons in the conductor to produce a slight electric dipole moment of the conductor. The displacement of the electrons produces a counter electric field in the conductor such that there is no net electric field (voltage gradient) in the conductor. Since the electrons are primarily the conduction electrons which are free to move, the separation is not quantized. This is also true if the conductor is a dielectric, because the valence electrons are displaced.
 
No no...I'm not talking about a wire...consider a plate immersed in a field.
 

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