What force holds together like charges in a capacitor, or a battery

In summary, when a capacitor has two oppositely-charged plates, the force that holds the electrons with electrons and protons with protons is the force that causes the voltage that charges the capacitor. This force can come from a battery or generator, depending on how the capacitor is charged. If there is no way for the charges to move from one side to the other, they will remain in their respective plates. However, if a significant potential is applied, more like charges can be pushed onto the plates, resulting in a higher charge for the capacitor.
  • #1
torxxx
15
1
I was wondering what force hold together like charges in capacitor, battery...

we have a capacitor having two oppositely -charged plates so my question is what holds the electrons with electrons in one plate and what holds protons with protons in other plate since like charges repel each other .

Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
If you provide the charges some way to get from one side to the other they do that. A cable is the most common type of connection. If they don't have a way to go from one side to the other they just stay where they are. If you apply a sufficiently large potential you can even push more like charges on the plates, charging the capacitor more.
 
  • #3
torxxx said:
my question is what holds the electrons with electrons in one plate and what holds protons with protons in other plate since like charges repel each other
Whatever force causes the voltage that charges the capacitor. If it is charged by a battery then the force of the electrochemical reaction. If it is a generator then the force of whatever is powering the generator.
 

1. What is the force that holds together like charges in a capacitor?

The force that holds together like charges in a capacitor is the electrostatic force. This force is created by the interaction between the positive and negative charges on the plates of the capacitor, which creates an electric field.

2. How does a battery hold together like charges?

A battery holds together like charges through the chemical reactions that occur inside it. These reactions create a potential difference between the positive and negative terminals of the battery, which results in the buildup of like charges on each terminal.

3. Is the force holding together like charges in a capacitor or battery the same as gravity?

No, the force holding together like charges in a capacitor or battery is not the same as gravity. Gravity is a force of attraction between masses, while the force holding together like charges is the electrostatic force.

4. How is the force holding together like charges in a capacitor or battery calculated?

The force holding together like charges in a capacitor or battery can be calculated using Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

5. What happens if the like charges in a capacitor or battery are not held together?

If the like charges in a capacitor or battery are not held together, they will repel each other and cause the charge to leak or dissipate. This can result in a decrease in the capacitor's or battery's capacity to store charge or a decrease in its overall efficiency.

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