Two oppositely charged parallel plates produce a uniform...

Name: Problem 66, Chapter 16: Physics
Uploaded: 2021-06-06T15:15:41-08:00
Duration: 5 min 38 s
Channel: Vishal Gupta
Description: Two oppositely charged parallel plates produce a uniform electric field between them. An uncharged metal sphere is placed between the plates. Assume that the sphere is small enough that it does not affect the charge distribution on the plates. Sketch the electric field lines between the plates once electrostatic equilibrium is reached.

Two oppositely charged parallel plates produce a uniform electric field between them. An uncharged metal sphere is placed between the plates. Assume that the sphere is small enough that it does not affect the charge distribution on the plates. Sketch the electric field lines between the plates once electrostatic equilibrium is reached.

Key Concepts

Electrostatic Equilibrium in Conductors

In a conductor at electrostatic equilibrium, the free charges distribute themselves on the surface in such a way that the electric field inside the conductor is zero. This principle explains why, when an uncharged metal sphere is placed in a uniform external field, induced surface charges appear that exactly cancel the external field within the conductor itself.

Induced Charge and Field Distortion

When a conductor is exposed to an external electric field, charges within it rearrange, resulting in induced positive and negative regions on its surface. This phenomenon not only establishes a zero field inside the conductor but also distorts the field lines in the vicinity of the conductor, causing them to bend and terminate perpendicular to its surface while returning to the uniform pattern farther away.

Uniform Electric Field

This concept refers to an electric field in which the field lines are parallel and evenly spaced, meaning that the magnitude and direction of the field remain constant at every point between the plates. It is typically produced by two large, oppositely charged plates where edge effects are negligible, ensuring a consistent environment for charges present in the region.

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