Magnetic field for parallel plate capacitors

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From Griffiths again!

A large parallel plate capacitor with uniform surface charge [itex]\sigma[/itex] on
upper plate and [itex]-\sigma[/itex] on lower is moving with a constant speed v.

Q1]Find the magnetic field between the plates and also above and below them.

My work:
For a surface charge distribution: [itex]\vec K = \sigma \vec v[/itex]
Magnetic induction: [itex]B = \frac{\mu_0 K}{2}[/itex]
Here both the top plate produces a field:
[tex]B = \frac{\mu_0 K}{2}[/tex]
And the bottom plate produces a field:
[tex]B = -\frac{\mu_0 K}{2}[/tex]

How do I take take into account the directions of these fields in order to calculate the field between them?

Q2] Find the magnetic force per unit area on the upper plate and its direction.

My work:
[tex]\vec F_{mag} = \int \left(\vec K \times \vec B\right)d\vec a[/tex]

So force per unit area is:
[tex]\vec f = \vec K \times \vec B[/tex]

Magnitude of the force would be:
[tex]F = \frac{\mu_0 K^2}{2}[/tex]

How do I determine the direction?

Q3] At what speed 'v' would the magnetic force balance the electrical force?

I need complete assistance on this question. :biggrin:
 
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How do I take take into account the directions of these fields in order to calculate the field between them?

right-hand rule has always worked for me.

If the positive sheet is coming out of the monitor
++++++++++++++ (z-direction)
the B is ----------> (x-direction)

If the negative sheet is coming out of the monitor
the B is ------------>(x-direction)
------------------------ (z-direction)

How do I determine the direction?

right hand rule has always worked for me.

Take the field from the positive sheet. (Say
it's in the x-direction) the negative sheet is
moving in the z-direction. and the negative
sheet sitting below the positive one.

+++++++++++ (moving out of monitor z-hat)
------> B (x-hat)
---------------------- (moving out of monitor)

then
F = qv x B = - z-hat cross x-hat = - y-hat
thus Force from the top on the bottom
pushes it away.

similarly force on top due to bottom pushes it away.

Q3] At what speed 'v' would the magnetic force balance the electrical force?
The electrostatic force is just force due to attracting charges.
sigma^2/(2 epsilon_0)
and you want it to balance mu_0 K^2 /2 =
mu_0 sigma^2 v^2 /2
 
qbert said:
The electrostatic force is just force due to attracting charges.
sigma^2/(2 epsilon_0)
and you want it to balance mu_0 K^2 /2 =
mu_0 sigma^2 v^2 /2

Thanks once again for the help!
So the magnetic force would be:
[tex]f_m = \frac{\mu_0 \sigma^2 v^2}{2}[/tex]

Electrical force for the lower plate:
[tex]f_e = \frac{\sigma^2}{2\epsilon_0}[/tex]

Balancing condition: [itex]f_m = f_e[/itex]

[tex]\mu_0 v^2 = \frac{1}{\epsilon_0}[/tex]
[tex]v = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\mu_0 \epsilon_0}} = c[/tex]
c = velocity of light :wink: .