Maximum possible force between two electrically charged plates?

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SUMMARY

The maximum force between two electrically charged plates is influenced by several factors, including the material of the plates and the voltage applied. For instance, an iron plate can reach a potential of +20 kV before experiencing a Coulomb explosion, which limits the charge it can hold. The discussion highlights the importance of using materials like Carbon Fiber for high voltage applications and addresses the challenges of electron leakage when charging plates. Additionally, the rotation of charged plates at high speeds can generate magnetic fields, with the relationship between speed and magnetic field strength being a key consideration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's law and electric charge
  • Familiarity with high voltage applications and materials science
  • Knowledge of magnetic fields and their relation to moving charges
  • Basic principles of electron emission and Coulomb explosion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of Carbon Fiber in high voltage applications
  • Study the calculations for charge based on voltage and mass, particularly for iron plates
  • Explore the effects of Coulomb explosion in charged materials
  • Investigate the relationship between rotational speed and magnetic field generation
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of charged particles and electromagnetic fields.

Bobcent
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Hi!

What is the limit to how much you can electrically charge two plates? I want to create the maximum possible force between the two plates per kilogram of plate.

Say that the plates are separated by a good vacuum, because that is the best insulator, right? The plates are also surrounded by vacuum.

Does it highly depend on the material being used for the plate? I'm investigating Carbon Fiber.

Is the problem that it is hard to generate the high voltage needed to create the charge?

Or is the problem rather that after a certain point the negatively charged plate will start to "leak" a large amount electrons to the positively charged plate? If this is the problem, why not just make both plates positively charged? I don't care if the plates attract or repel each other, I just want to create a really strong force between them.

And also, if these plates were to rotate at a very high speed (say 10 km/s), would this create a magnetic field? I have learned that magnetic fields are a relativistic effect of electrical fields in motion, but how fast do the plates need to rotate before significant magnetic fields develop?

I know this is a lot of questions, but I'm really grateful for any respone to any of them! :)
 
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Hello, and thanks for your reply, very interesting article!

So according to this article the limit of positive charge for an iron particle before coulomb explosion occurs is generated by a potential of +20 kV.

So if I have a plate composed of iron with a mass of say 1 kg, and charge it so that its potential is +20 kV, how do I calculate its charge?
 

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