What causes current to curve like a liquid around an insulator?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of current vectors curving around a gap in a metal plate, specifically when an insulator (air) is introduced between two electrodes applying voltage. Participants explore the physical effects and underlying principles that explain this behavior, referencing concepts such as Gauss's Law and electric polarization.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant speculates that the curvature of current vectors is due to a surplus of electrons creating a charge distribution around the insulator, questioning how this fits into Maxwell's equations.
  • Another participant asserts that Gauss's Law explains the situation, although they question the presence of an insulator in the context of a metal plate.
  • A clarification is provided that the insulator is the air in the gap, and the participant seeks to understand the physical phenomenon behind the observed behavior.
  • It is noted that charge builds up at the metal-air interface, creating an electric field that deflects electrons around the gap, as current cannot flow through it.
  • One participant introduces the concept of polarization as a potential explanation for the observed effect, linking it to their research.
  • Another participant challenges the relevance of material polarization, suggesting that the interaction of charges as they flow is the primary cause, regardless of whether the gap is filled with air or vacuum.
  • A participant proposes that the boundary around the gap becomes polarized, seeking validation of this interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the role of polarization in the phenomenon, with some supporting its relevance while others argue it is not necessary to explain the current's behavior. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact physical mechanisms at play.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the assumptions about the nature of the gap (air vs. vacuum) and the implications of charge distribution and electric fields in the context of the observed current behavior.

meldraft
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Hey everybody!

Let's say we have an infinite metal plate, and we apply voltage between two points, thus creating a potential. On this plate, we take a cutter and create a finite gap (filled with air), somewhere between the electrodes that apply the voltage.

Simulations in ANSYS show that the current vectors curve around the gap much like a liquid does around an obstacle. Does anyone know the physical effect that causes this? I would speculate that it is a surplus of electrons creating a small charge distribution around the insulator, but I can't see how it fits into Maxwell's equations.

Any pointers would be great!
 
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It's due to gauss law.by the way where's insulator?it's metal
 
Hey, thanks for your reply!

The insulator in my case is the air inside the gap. I see how it Gauss' Law describes it, I'm not clear however on what is the actual physical phenomenon.
 
gauss law says that inside metal electric field is zero
 
The charge at the interface metal-air buids up an electric field that deflects the electrons around the gap (we know current can't flow trough the gap). When we applied the voltage, for a very short time, current flow was "undisturbed". Once some charge piled up at the interface, the resulting electric field makes the electrons move around the cut.
 
I don't think material polarization has anything to do with it. You could repeat the experiment with vacuum in the gap instead of air and still get the same result. It is because of the interaction of charges as they flow.
 
What I was thinking is that the boundary around the gap gets polarized. Is this not a good interpretation?
 

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