Why electric field line are curved at top of two plates.

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that electric field lines between two parallel plates are straight but curve at the edges due to the finite size of the plates. As conducting plates do not extend infinitely, charge accumulation occurs on both the front and back surfaces, resulting in a stronger electric field at the edges. This phenomenon is akin to the behavior of line charges, where the field lines emanate radially from the edges, creating a curved pattern. The curvature of the field lines at the ends is a direct consequence of the geometry and charge distribution of the plates.

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  • Understanding of electric fields and field lines
  • Familiarity with the concept of parallel plate capacitors
  • Knowledge of charge distribution on conductors
  • Basic principles of electrostatics
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  • Study the behavior of electric fields in parallel plate capacitors
  • Explore the concept of line charge distributions in electrostatics
  • Learn about the effects of edge effects in electric fields
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Aladin
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Hello.
I can't understand that why electric field lines are radial between two parallal plates but curved at the end.? what is the reason.
 
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I think you mean parallel and not radial?
This is because the parallel plates do not extend out to infinity in each direction. Because it is a conducting plate the charges will build up on the surface. Therefore there will be a charge on the front of the plate, as well as on the back of the plate. This happens on both plates for both charges. Also there are more field lines on the edges of the plate. (electric field is stronger where the radius is small).
 
My question related snap in shown.please tell me why field lines are curved at the end of plates?
 

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Near the end of either plate, the edge of the plate looks a line charge, from which the field lines would extend radially (or you can think of it as a point charge in your 2-D picture). The edges of the two plates generate field lines similar to those from two oppositely charged parallel line charge distributions, i.e. curved field lines.
 

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