Explaining the Uniform Electric Field Between Parallel Plates

[sunchips]

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!

 

[ice109]

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!

2 infinite plates, keyword being infinite

 

[smallphi]

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.

 

[ice109]

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.

absolutely false, e field around an idealized plate is independent of distance.

 

[smallphi]

Sorry yes you are right. For infinite plates, the two forces are constant, independent of position.