Solving Parallel Plate Capacitor Pendulum Oscillations

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a parallel plate capacitor with square plates and a pendulum suspended from the top plate. The objective is to analyze the oscillations of the pendulum in the context of the electric field created by the charged plates, while neglecting gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the pendulum's motion and the forces acting on it, particularly focusing on how to derive the period of oscillation in the absence of gravity. There is mention of relevant equations from notes, but connections to the current problem are questioned.

Discussion Status

Some participants are attempting to clarify the relationship between the equations provided in their notes and the specific problem at hand. There is a suggestion to derive the period of a pendulum under gravitational influence as a parallel to the current scenario, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes the importance of including all parts of a multi-part question in the same thread, emphasizing the need for comprehensive context in the discussion. Additionally, there is a lack of initial work presented by the original poster, which is prompting further inquiry from others.

blueyellow
1. Homework Statement

PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS POST, MODS, IT MAY LOOK LIKE THE SAME QUESTION AS BEFORE, BUT IT IS NOT, IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PART TO THE QUESTION.

consider a parallel=plate capacitor with square plates of side L and distance d (<<L) between them, charged with charges +Q and -Q. The plates of the capacitor are horizontal, with the lowest lying on the x-y plane, and the orientation is such that their sides are parallel to the x and y axis, respectively.

a simple pendulum of length d/2 and mass m, hangs vertically from the centre of the top plate, that can oscillate in the x-z plane.

recall that the differential equation for a mechanical simple pendulum in the gravitational field is ml *theta(double primed)=-mg*theta, where theta is the angular displacement from the vertical. Considering the electrical force only, and neglecting gravity, show that the period of small oscillations of the pendulum around its vertical axis is

T=2pi*sqrt[((L^2)*d*m*epsilon0)/(2Qq)]

The Attempt at a Solution



the notes say
omega0=sqrt[(Ze^2)/(4 pi *spsion 0*m(subscript e) *r^3)]

I tried to understand how this related to the question but don't see an obvious connection
 
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the mass has charge q, i neglected to say
 


blueyellow said:
PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS POST, MODS, IT MAY LOOK LIKE THE SAME QUESTION AS BEFORE, BUT IT IS NOT, IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PART TO THE QUESTION.
If it's a multiple part question, all parts belong in the same thread.

Where's your work?

Hint: Can you derive the period of a pendulum under gravity alone? It's the same problem, only now the force is due to the electric field, not gravity.
 


blueyellow said:
the notes say
omega0=sqrt[(Ze^2)/(4 pi *spsion 0*m(subscript e) *r^3)]

I tried to understand how this related to the question but don't see an obvious connection

No wonder, as it has no connections with your problem. It can be the angular velocity of an electron around a nucleus with Z protons.

Try to solve the problem using your knowledge and logic instead of trying to find a formula with omega at the left-hand side and wondering what to plug in for z and r, when you have q, Q and L.

ehild
 

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