The discussion revolves around the nature of the electric field between two flat conducting parallel plates, specifically addressing why the electric field is considered uniform and of constant magnitude. Participants explore the implications of this uniformity in relation to the forces experienced by test charges placed at different distances from the plates.
Participants express disagreement regarding the behavior of forces on test charges in relation to their distance from the plates. While some assert that the forces change with position, others maintain that the electric field remains constant and independent of distance.
The discussion does not resolve the apparent contradiction regarding the forces on test charges and the uniformity of the electric field, leaving assumptions about idealized conditions and the nature of infinite plates unaddressed.
sunchips said:I heard that two flat conducting parallel plates have the property that electric field at any point between them, is uniform, and of constant magnitude. I was wondering how this was possible. For example, a test charge closer to the positive plate conpared with a test charge closer to the negative plate should have different force magnitudes acting on them shouldn't they? Thanks!
smallphi said:When you move your test charge closer to one of the plates the total forces on the charge from each plate change. One of the forces gets stronger the other weaker but the sum remains the same.