Finding the potential difference?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a plate capacitor with varying distances between its plates and seeks to determine the new potential difference and the increase in stored energy as the distance changes. The subject area pertains to electrostatics and capacitor behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the new potential difference and energy change based on the relationship between charge, area, and distance. Some participants question the validity of the ratio derived from the equations presented, while others explore whether the ratio itself could serve as an answer.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants engaging in clarifying the relationships between the variables involved. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's answers, and some productive questioning is occurring regarding the implications of the derived ratio.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of changing distances in the context of capacitor physics, and there may be assumptions about the constancy of charge that are being examined.

Simon316
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okey the question goes like this

A plate capacitor with area A and distance d1 is charged to a potential difference of V1 between the plates. Now the distance between the plates increases to d2 = 2*d1.

a) What is the new potential difference, V2, between the plates?

b) Find the increase in stored energy, deltaU, an explain where this energy comes frome.

what I have found out so far is:
a) V2 = E*2*d1, where E = Q/(e0*A) and therefore does not change with distance.

b) deltaU = 1/2*Q*V2 - 1/2*Q*V1


I don't think these two answers are good enough, but I can't se what else to do, maybe use intgral?
any help is highly appreciated:smile:

Kind regards

Simon
 
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Simon,

using your eqn a) what is the ratio v2/v1?
 
well the ratio must be V2/V1 = d1, but this can't be the answer to a) could it?
 
unless I miss my guess, it should be 2di/di=2.
 
hehe yea ofcorse:smile:
but I still don't think the ration is the answer to thequstion, thanks though:smile:
 

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