How to find equipotential surface for given case?

AI Thread Summary
Equipotential surfaces created by a uniform grid of long, equally spaced parallel charged wires exhibit periodic changes in shape due to the alternating presence of charges. At greater distances, the grid resembles a uniformly charged plane, leading to a consistent potential across the surface. The periodic variation occurs because the charge distribution alternates between charged wires and gaps, affecting the potential landscape. This results in equipotential surfaces that are not uniform close to the grid but become parallel to the plane as distance increases. Understanding this behavior is crucial for analyzing electric fields in similar configurations.
Dexter Neutron
Messages
50
Reaction score
0
Q:- Describe equipotential surface due to a uniform grid consisting of long equally spaced parallel charged wires in a plane.
The answer given in my textbook is - Equipotential surface have shape which changes periodically. At far off distances it becomes parallel to the plane.

Why the equipotential surface changes periodically here?Please Explain.
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I can answer the second question. At far off distances the grid should look like a uniformly charged plane. This results in the potential being equivalent to that of a uniformly charged plane.
 
Dexter Neutron said:
Why the equipotential surface changes periodically here?

Because the charge distribution changes periodical (wire - no wire - wire - no wire - ...).
 
Thread 'Is 'Velocity of Transport' a Recognized Term in English Mechanics Literature?'

Thread 'Is 'Velocity of Transport' a Recognized Term in English Mechanics Literature?'

Here are two fragments from Banach's monograph in Mechanics I have never seen the term <<velocity of transport>> in English texts. Actually I have never seen this term being named somehow in English. This term has a name in Russian books. I looked through the original Banach's text in Polish and there is a Polish name for this term. It is a little bit surprising that the Polish name differs from the Russian one and also differs from this English translation. My question is: Is there...
View full post »

Thread 'Effect of mass on the acceleration of an elastic pendulum?'

I know that mass does not affect the acceleration in a simple pendulum undergoing SHM, but how does the mass on the spring that makes up the elastic pendulum affect its acceleration? Certainly, there must be a change due to the displacement from equilibrium caused by each differing mass? I am talking about finding the acceleration at a specific time on each trial with different masses and comparing them. How would they compare and why?
View full post »

Similar threads

The equipotential surface of a system of two unequal charges
Replies
3
Views
2K
Why electric field is always perpendicular to equipotential?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Calculating work on an electron on an equipotential surface
Replies
11
Views
2K
Distance between equipotential surfaces
Replies
2
Views
3K
Equipotential surfaces for the given charge distribution
Replies
1
Views
4K
Cassini ovals being the equipotential lines?
Replies
1
Views
3K
A Why is "method of image current" valid in magnetostatics?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Equipotential surfaces - - Pictures
Replies
1
Views
3K
Equipotential Surfaces for Different Charge Configurations: Where to Find Them?
Replies
2
Views
2K
What is the radius of the equipotential surfaces for a charged cylinder?
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top