Electric Fields Lines of a pair of Finite Parallel Plates

In summary, the electric field lines of a pair of finite parallel plates will be uniform between the plates, but on the edges of the plates the electric field will not be uniform due to the proximity of sharp edges.
  • #1
TypeFun
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Homework Statement


Comment on the electric field lines of a pair of finite parallel plates (a) between the plates and (b) near the edges of the plates.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
between the plates (basically near centers of plates) in is uniform, directed from + plate to - plate (obvious)
magnitude is double the mag due to any 1 plate

near the edge it will be non uniform
 
  • #3
"magnitude is double the mag due to any 1 plate"
I don't understand this. Why is that so?

Also, is it correct to say that
(a) between the plates the distribution of charges will be uniform due to its flat nature, but (b) on the edges of the plates the distribution of charges will not be uniform because alone sharp edges charges tend to come together more closely than they typically do on a smooth surface
 
  • #4
The magnitude is double because the electric field follows superposition and you have a plate that is positively charged (electric field outward) and a plate that is negatively charged (electric field inward).

I know that the fringing field is non-linear but I've never understood the flux density thing since there can be an infinite amount but the lines can't cross. I just can't visualize it so I stick with the results of the equations...
 
  • #5
TypeFun said:
Also, is it correct to say that
(a) between the plates the distribution of charges will be uniform due to its flat nature, but (b) on the edges of the plates the distribution of charges will not be uniform because alone sharp edges charges tend to come together more closely than they typically do on a smooth surface

in a way you are right
This phenomena is called "corona discharge"
according to it ... charge 'density' is inversely proportional to the radius of surface.
the charge density will be more on th edges but on any flat surface will be same.

can you tell where "charge" will be maximum ?
 

1. What is an electric field line?

An electric field line is an imaginary line that represents the direction and strength of an electric field at any given point. It is drawn in the direction that a positive test charge would move when placed in the electric field.

2. How are electric field lines formed between a pair of finite parallel plates?

When two parallel plates with opposite charges are placed close to each other, the electric field lines are formed between them. The positive charges on one plate will attract the negative charges on the other plate, causing the electric field lines to form between them.

3. What is the direction of the electric field lines between a pair of finite parallel plates?

The electric field lines between a pair of finite parallel plates are always perpendicular to the plates. This means that they are drawn from one plate to the other in a straight line, at a right angle to the plates.

4. How does the distance between the parallel plates affect the electric field lines?

The distance between the parallel plates affects the electric field lines in two ways. First, the closer the plates are, the stronger the electric field will be between them. Second, the distance between the electric field lines will decrease as the plates get closer together.

5. What can we learn from the electric field lines of a pair of finite parallel plates?

The electric field lines of a pair of finite parallel plates can help us understand the strength and direction of the electric field between the plates. They also show the shape and distribution of the electric field, which can be useful in many practical applications such as designing electronic circuits and studying the behavior of charged particles.

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