Electric field between two capacitor plates (proof)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the electric field between two capacitor plates, with a focus on vector addition and the characteristics of the electric field in relation to the geometry of the plates.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the correct method for combining vector magnitudes in the context of forces acting on the plates. There is a discussion about the nature of the electric field and its uniformity based on the distance and area of the plates.

Discussion Status

The conversation indicates that some participants are clarifying their understanding of vector addition in this context. There is acknowledgment of a dipole field and conditions under which uniformity can be expected, suggesting a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific conditions regarding the dimensions of the plates and the distance between them, indicating that these factors are critical to the discussion but are not fully resolved.

Harry17
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Homework Statement
I’m trying to prove that the electric field strength between 2 capacitor plates is uniform. To do this, I first considered a capacitor consisting of 2 circular disks, with charges +Q and -Q respectively, and determined a charge per unit area, and used that to find the charge on concentric rings going outwards from the centre of the plate. Taking the integral of the force from each ring as a function of x (the distance from the centre of the plate) and r (the distance from one of the plates) gives an integral which I am not yet able to integrate but subbing values in and using a calculator to give me a value shows that it does depend on r, when it should not.

Not sure where I’ve gone wrong, a photo of my working is attached. Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Relevant Equations
F=Qq(Kd^2)
See attached image
 

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The glare makes your expressions hard to read. Am I right if I suspect you are adding two vector magnitudes when you should be subtracting them ?
 
The forces act in the same direction so I assumed that I add them? The two terms come from the forces from the left hand side plate and the right hand side plate
 
Something went wrong. I was correcting myself and you answered already ? Adding is correct.

Anyway, the field should be a dipole field for ##A\downarrow 0##. Uniformity can only be expected when away from the rim (outer edge), ##d\ll A##.
So test with e.g. ##d\approx 1## when ##A=5##.
 
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That works now, thanks very much
 

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