Force between Two Charges with a Metal Sheet in Between: Decrease or Increase?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the effect of introducing a metal sheet between two charges on the force between them. Participants are exploring whether the force will decrease, increase, or become zero, and are seeking explanations for these outcomes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants question the impact of the metal sheet on the force, considering factors like charge conservation and distance. Others suggest that polarization of the metal sheet may influence the observed force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts and seeking further clarification. There is acknowledgment of a textbook answer indicating that the force decreases, but the rationale behind this is still under exploration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of explanation in textbooks regarding the decrease in force, which prompts further inquiry into the underlying principles.

ananthu
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Homework Statement


When a metal sheet is introduced in between two charges placed in air what will happen to the force between them? Will it decrease, or, increase, or, become zero? What will be the explanation? kindly reply.


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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Why has no one replied to my question? Had I asked any thing so trivial in nature or so tough to answer? I eagerly wait for the expert opinions on the subject from the forum-friends.
 
I'm definitely no expert, but my guess is that there is no effect on the force. By introducing the metal sheet, you neither add nor take away any of the charges. Nor do you increase/decrease their distance from each other.

The metal sheet if its thick may become polarized in which case the force you observe in may decrease, but it has not been taken away since it now is present in the metal itself.

Hope that helps.
 
Thank you for your reply. But the answer given for this question in books is "the force decreases". Only the explanation for "why it decreases" is not given. Hope this will initiate further discussion on this topic.
 

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