Charge on three metallic plates

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a middle metallic plate with charge Q placed between two other metallic plates at distances d1 and d2. The charge distribution on the outer plates is calculated as -Qd2/(d1+d2) and -Qd1/(d1+d2). The middle plate experiences forces due to the electric fields generated by the outer plates, leading to its movement towards the side with the greater distance (d2 > d1). The participants emphasize the importance of understanding electric fields and charge distributions, particularly in the context of capacitors and Gauss's law.

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  • #31


Abdul Quadeer said:
its Q/Aε (if A=area of the plates)
It should be half that, because the charge is divided over two equal surfaces of area A, and the gaussian surface used contains only the charge on one face. The field inside the conductor is zero.

The distance between the plates does not affect the distribution of charges (as long as it is not infinite). The neutral plate remains neutral with 0 charge on both sides.

Look up "Charge-induced charge separation". The neutral plate will become polarized.
 
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  • #32


SammyS said:
The charge on the outside is (should be) outside of the Gaussian surface.

The Gaussian surface can emerge from both sides of the plate as it has a continuous charge distribution. It is not discrete.

gneill said:
It should be half that, because the charge is divided over two equal surfaces of area A, and the gaussian surface used contains only the charge on one face. The field inside the conductor is zero.

Yeah I missed the 2.

gneill said:
Look up "Charge-induced charge separation". The neutral plate will become polarized.

Metallic plate gets polarized?? :
 
  • #33


why are you making such an easy question so complicated...

the capacitor made of the 1st plate and left side of middle plate has no field outside it ... so i won't have any force on the charge on the right side of middle plate and and third plate
 
  • #34


Abdul Quadeer said:
Metallic plate gets polarized?? :

Yup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_induction" .
 
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  • #35


Abdul Quadeer said:
Metallic plate gets polarized?? :

yes because they have free electrons

even dielectrics gets polarized
 
  • #36


cupid.callin said:
why are you making such an easy question so complicated...

the capacitor made of the 1st plate and left side of middle plate has no field outside it ... so i won't have any force on the charge on the right side of middle plate and and third plate

Yeah I got it now. The field on the right side of the middle plate gets canceled due to the first plate and the left side of the middle plate. I was very much confused and surprised after reading post #16. I figured out that its wrong.

gneill said:
Yup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_induction" .

That is NOT polarisation of metals :rolleyes:
Polarisation is the characteristic property of those materials which don't have free electrons. Metals have free electrons and they get induced.
 
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  • #37


Abdul Quadeer said:
That is NOT polarisation of metals :rolleyes:
Polarisation is the characteristic property of those materials which don't have free electrons. Metals have free electrons and they get induced.

Sorry, but when there is a separation of opposite charges in an object, the object can be said to be polarized --- it has a "+" end and a "-" end. Whether or not the separation occurs due to induction or by some other method of sequestering or implanting the charges is irrelevant.
 
  • #38

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