Can Metal Plate Connected to +ve Battery Terminal Get Charged?

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SUMMARY

A metal plate connected solely to the positive terminal of a battery can indeed acquire a positive charge due to the higher potential of the terminal. However, the charge accumulation is minimal, as the plate's self-capacitance (C_self) is significantly lower than that of a parallel plate capacitor configuration. The relationship governing this phenomenon is defined by the equation q=V*C_self, where q represents charge, V is the potential difference, and C_self is the self-capacitance of the plate. Thus, while the plate can be charged, the practical implications are negligible.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and charge distribution
  • Familiarity with capacitance concepts, particularly self-capacitance
  • Knowledge of battery terminals and potential differences
  • Basic grasp of the relationship between voltage, charge, and capacitance
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electrostatics and charge distribution in conductors
  • Learn about capacitance calculations for various geometries
  • Explore the concept of self-capacitance in isolated conductors
  • Investigate practical applications of capacitors in electrical circuits
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of charged conductors in electric fields.

bobca117
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Hi,

We know that when we connect the two parallel plates to a battery it will hold a +ve charge on the plate connected to positive terminal and -ve charge on the other plate. If we only connect one plate to the positive terminal, can it be charged? Isn't the positive terminal is at a higher potential and positively charged? If so, can metal plate connected to it become charged? What process governs if it cannot be charged? Since conductors having charges when connected reaches an equilibrium of distribution of charges to maintain same potential, can we expect this in the case of battery with metal plate connected to positive terminal? if not why?

Bob
 
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Yes, it will get charged.
But, I wouldn't bother mentioning it to anyone.
Nobody is going to care much about an extra electon or two.

Battery terminals have a relative, to each other, potential.
Saying one has a higher potential doesn't really mean anything.
As in, higher relative to what?
 
A single metal plate will have a small self capacitance C_self.
It can be calculated for a simple shape, but will be much less than the capacitance of two plates. The charge on the single plate would be
q=V*C_self.
 

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