Potential difference between plates

In summary: Cicero would have used an equation … :wink: :smile:In summary, the author discusses a question asking why a charged particle experiences the same acceleration no matter how far it is from a capacitator with uniform electric field. They state that the particle experiences the same acceleration due to the uniform electric field between the plates. They further state that Cicero would have used an equation to answer the question.
  • #1
annjolino
30
0

Homework Statement


a certain parrallel plate capacitator has a plate separation d and a potential difference between the plates of V. If the electric field between the plates is uniform
a) What is the strength of the electric field F


Homework Equations



Coloumbs Law F=k(q1q2/d^2)
Electric potential=electric potential energy/amount of charge


The Attempt at a Solution



i am not sure which equation to use here with the given variables i know that the potential difference is the change in velocity (i think that's right anyway)
 
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  • #2
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  • #3
you say capacitator, I say capacitahtor … !

Hi annjolino! :smile:

(if you'd spelt capacitor right, you'd have got the autolink to the PF Library … :rolleyes:)
annjolino said:
a certain parrallel plate capacitator has a plate separation d and a potential difference between the plates of V. If the electric field between the plates is uniform
a) What is the strength of the electric field F

i know that the potential difference is the change in velocity (i think that's right anyway)

Nooo …

Voltage = potential difference is energy/charge, so it's the same as work done per charge … and electric field is force/charge …

and work done = force times … what? :smile:
 
  • #4
Hmmm bad day with spelling i guess...:rolleyes:

work done = force x distance
 
  • #5
annjolino said:
Hmmm bad day with spelling i guess...:rolleyes:

… what we call … incapacitated! :biggrin:
work done = force x distance

Yes … and so F = … ? :smile:
 
  • #6
does the F in this question equal the force of the electric field or does the F mean the E int the equation Electric field = force/charge... i know that might osund a bit weird but the way i read the question F = E= f/c...

i think i am going the long way about this but so far i have arranged the three formulas to read this

V=W/q which looks like V= (F/d)/(F/E)

am i headed in the right direction?
 
  • #7
i just noticed a little hint in the question 'NB 1Vm-1 is equivalent to 1NC-1

so from the Vm-1 does that mean that the F=V/d?
could it be that simple
 
  • #8
annjolino said:
does the F in this question equal the force of the electric field or does the F mean the E int the equation Electric field = force/charge... i know that might osund a bit weird but the way i read the question F = E= f/c...

Hi annjolino! :smile:

Yes … the question is very clear …
annjolino said:
a) What is the strength of the electric field F

That means that F is the electric field. :smile:
V=W/q which looks like V= (F/d)/(F/E)

am i headed in the right direction?

Not following that. :confused:

(and what's E anyway? there's no E in the problem :rolleyes:)

Write it out clearly … like this …

V = Voltage = work done per charge

Work = force x distance

F = Electric field = force per charge

So V/F = work / force = distance = d. :smile:
 
  • #9
part c of the question is, if the acceleration of a charged particle between the plates is a when it is halfway between the plates, why will the particle acceleration experience the same acceleration if it is only one quarter the distance between the plates? defend your answer...

Ok so i think the the particle will experience the same acceleration at any point across the field due to the fact that the electric field between the plates is uniform... as stated by the question... i am just not sure how to defend my answer... i guess i have to use an equation of sorts??
 
  • #10
You've already answered the question. Why do you need to defend it? If you want to put it more explicitly, you just need to show how force is related to E-field and acceleration of charged particle.
 
  • #11
… you have a capacity for sagacity …

annjolino said:
Ok so i think the the particle will experience the same acceleration at any point across the field due to the fact that the electric field between the plates is uniform... as stated by the question... i am just not sure how to defend my answer... i guess i have to use an equation of sorts??

Hi annjolino! :smile:

Yes, that's fine … :smile:

if you really want an equation, how about good ol' Netwon's second law … F = ma … combined with the equation for force from an electric field? :wink:

ooh … EDIT:
Defennder said:
You've already answered the question. Why do you need to defend it? …

Hi Defennder! :smile:

hmm … let's see … :wink:

i] 'cos the question says so … :rolleyes:

ii] against wild animals … :eek:

iii] 'cos it can't defend itself … :blushing:

iv] it's what Cicero would have done … :approve:

v] look who's talking … Defennder :biggrin:
 
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FAQ: Potential difference between plates

What is potential difference between plates?

Potential difference between plates, also known as voltage, is the difference in electric potential between two points or plates in an electric field. It is measured in volts (V) and represents the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from one point to another.

How is potential difference between plates calculated?

Potential difference between plates can be calculated using the equation V = W / Q, where V is the potential difference in volts, W is the work done in joules, and Q is the charge in coulombs.

What factors affect potential difference between plates?

The potential difference between plates is affected by the distance between the plates, the magnitude of the charges on the plates, and the type of material between the plates. The potential difference also depends on the strength of the electric field between the plates.

What is the difference between potential difference and electric field?

Potential difference is the difference in electric potential between two points or plates, while electric field is a physical field that surrounds electrically charged particles and exerts force on other charged particles within the field. Electric field is a vector quantity, while potential difference is a scalar quantity.

Why is potential difference between plates important?

Potential difference between plates is important because it is the driving force for electric current. It is also used in various electrical devices, such as batteries and power supplies, to provide the necessary energy for their operation.

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