Difference between These Electric Field Formulas

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between two formulas for electric fields produced by uniformly charged parallel plates. Participants explore the context in which each formula applies, including considerations of geometry and charge distribution.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a discrepancy between the electric field formulas given in their book and their professor's notes, specifically E = \frac{\omega}{\epsilon_0} versus E = \frac{\omega}{2\epsilon_0}.
  • Another participant suggests that the first formula applies to an infinite plane, while the second applies to a finite plate, such as in a parallel plate capacitor.
  • A later reply clarifies that the formula with "2" in the denominator corresponds to a single sheet, while the other formula applies to the field between two oppositely charged sheets, indicating that two sheets produce a combined effect that results in the absence of the "2" in the formula.
  • Participants emphasize that the sheets are assumed to be large compared to the distance from them, which may affect the applicability of the formulas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the formulas and their applications, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific contexts and conditions under which each formula is valid.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the geometry of the charged plates and the conditions under which the formulas are derived, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

wahaj
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just a quick question. I seem to have come across two very similar formulas for electric fields produced by uniformly charged parallel plates. My book gives the formula as
E = \frac{\omega}{\epsilon_0}
on the other hand the notes from my prof tell me that
E = \frac{\omega}{2\epsilon_0}

My book or the notes don't mention the other formulas and this whole concept is still new to me to I'm a bit confused. what is the difference between the two formulas?
 
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so basically the first equation is for an infinite plane while the second one is for a plate with a definite length like in a parallel plate capacitor. Did I get that right?
 
Not quite. One formula (with the "2" in the denominator) is for a single sheet, the other is for the field between two oppositely charged sheets. One way to remember this is that having two sheets produces twice the field, which gets rid of the "2" in the formula.

In both cases the sheets are considered to be very large compared to the distance away from the sheet.
 

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