Can Earth Still Hold Charge Even When Connected to a Conductor?

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    Charge Earth
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of charge on a conductor when it is connected to the Earth. Participants explore concepts related to charge distribution, potential difference, and the implications for capacitors, questioning the conventional understanding presented in textbooks.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that while textbooks state charges flow to Earth when a conductor is connected, examples show that the conductor does not have zero charge afterward, raising questions about capacitor functionality.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on where the textbook examples indicate non-zero charge on the conductor when earthed.
  • A participant describes the process of induction, suggesting that when a charged plate approaches an earthed plate, charge redistribution occurs, leading to a net charge on the plate after the Earth connection is removed.
  • One contributor states that a system connected to Earth maintains a potential difference of 0 V, regardless of charge density, implying that charge distribution can still exist.
  • Another participant emphasizes that while a conductor can have zero net charge, it can still exhibit uneven charge distribution due to external fields or nearby charged objects.
  • One participant expresses confusion over the explanation provided by teachers regarding charge behavior when connected to Earth, questioning the applicability of theory in practical scenarios.
  • A later reply mentions that excess charges will flow to Earth until the potential difference is zero, but this does not imply the absence of net charge on the conductor, highlighting the distinction between potential difference and charge.
  • Another participant references the electrophorus as an example of how a metal plate can be charged while connected to Earth, suggesting that charge dynamics are more complex than simply stating charges are zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of charge on conductors connected to Earth, with no consensus reached on the implications for capacitors or the interpretation of textbook examples.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations in understanding charge behavior, including assumptions about charge distribution, the role of external fields, and the applicability of theoretical models in practical scenarios.

Brajesh kedia
When conductor is connected to earth..all the charges are shown to be flown to Earth in textbook hc verma...But i found in its examples the charges are however not zero on conductor when it is connected to earth..
If it charge is not zero on connecting to Earth how will the capacitor work...?
 
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Brajesh kedia said:
But i found in its examples the charges are however not zero on conductor when it is connected to earth..
Where?
 
mfb said:
Where?
If a charged plate is brought up to an Earthed (therefore uncharged) plate, charges will flow into and out of the plate (likes being repelled and unlikes being attracted), causing the plate to have a surplus of unlike charges. Remove the Earth connection and tat plate will have acquired a charge by Induction. Perhaps this is what the OP refers to?
 
Ah right, problably.

Things connected to Earth have a potential difference of 0 V relative to ground, no matter how much charge density this requires in the current setup.
 
The system reaches a minimum energy state - would be one way of putting it.
 
Anyone please give me a good explanation what's actually happening as maximum teachers say charges are zero on connecting otherwise capacitor won't work nd when doing sums they are saying that theory is not applicable here..
 
Brajesh kedia said:
Anyone please give me a good explanation what's actually happening as maximum teachers say charges are zero on connecting otherwise capacitor won't work nd when doing sums they are saying that theory is not applicable here..
I am not sure what you are getting at here. The charges (or any other variable) can be whatever the system starts with.
The right theory is always applicable. :smile: There can be zero net charge on a conductor but the charges can still be spread unevenly around it (polarisation) in the presence of an external field or nearby charged object.
 
Brajesh kedia said:
When conductor is connected to earth..all the charges are shown to be flown to Earth in textbook hc verma...But i found in its examples the charges are however not zero on conductor when it is connected to earth..

Is this an example in your textbook? Can you scan that example and post it here?
 
q` is bq/c whereas showing u another snapshot of hc verma where charges are flown to Earth as a whole
 

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  • #10
Charges have flown to Earth as a whole when earthed in this case..!
 

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  • #11
What people seem to be forgetting is that the charges on a conductor (eg Earth) can flow very easily. Excess charges will flow from a charged conductor to Earth until the PD is zero but that doesn't mean that there is no net charge on that conductor. If there is a local Field due to a nearby charged object, it is very easy for electrons to be attracted to or repelled from the local part of Earth. Do not confuse PD with Charge.
Search for "electrophorus" and you will see exactly how you can actually charge up a metal plate by connecting it to earth.
 

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