Problem with one of the premises in electrostatic pressure theory

In summary, the article discusses a critical flaw in the electrostatic pressure theory, which relies on a specific premise regarding the behavior of charged particles in an electric field. The author highlights that this premise fails to account for certain interactions and conditions, leading to inaccuracies in predicting the behavior of charged systems. This oversight undermines the validity of the theory and suggests the need for a reevaluation of the underlying assumptions in electrostatic pressure models.
  • #1
physicsissohard
19
1
TL;DR Summary
I was watching a video and he was trying to derive a result in electrostatic pressure. He was deriving the pressure on a differential area element of a hollow conducting sphere. He did it two ways, the second way was straightforward he did it by using only gauss's law and a neat argument but the first derivation I have a problem.
I have the video linked with the time stamp. . Isn't Electric Field anywhere inside the conductor zero. So there will be no electric field inside the thickness of the conductor. But he managed to integrate it somehow? he considered electric field to be changing inside the conductor that has density rho and did it. But proprties of conductors state that elctric field inside conductor is zero, doesn't it?
1712037543102.png
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
physicsissohard said:
Isn't Electric Field anywhere inside the conductor zero. So there will be no electric field inside the thickness of the conductor. But he managed to integrate it somehow? he considered electric field to be changing inside the conductor that has density rho and did it. But proprties of conductors state that elctric field inside conductor is zero, doesn't it?
The charge at the surface of a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is not actually in a layer of zero thickness. The surface charge is nonzero within a very thin layer at the surface. There is a nonzero volume charge density and a nonzero electric field within this layer. As you pass through this layer from just outside the conductor, the electric field changes continuously from its value just outside the surface to zero. The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conducting material except for points within this layer.

In many situations, we treat the layer as having zero thickness and model the electric field as having a jump discontinuity at the surface. However, the video shows how to derive the force per unit area on the surface charge of the conductor by treating the layer as having finite thickness. This derivation follows that of Purcell's textbook.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman and Dale

FAQ: Problem with one of the premises in electrostatic pressure theory

What is electrostatic pressure theory?

Electrostatic pressure theory refers to the concept that charged particles exert pressure on each other due to their electrostatic interactions. This theory is often applied in contexts such as liquid droplets, aerosols, and other systems where charges are distributed over surfaces or within volumes, influencing their stability and behavior.

What are common premises in electrostatic pressure theory?

Common premises in electrostatic pressure theory include the assumptions that charges are uniformly distributed, that the system is in electrostatic equilibrium, and that the effects of external fields or forces are negligible. These assumptions help simplify the mathematical modeling of electrostatic interactions.

What problems can arise from incorrect premises in electrostatic pressure theory?

Incorrect premises can lead to significant errors in predictions about the behavior of charged systems. For example, assuming uniform charge distribution when it is not can result in inaccurate calculations of electrostatic pressure, leading to erroneous conclusions about stability, size, or interactions of charged droplets or particles.

How can one identify a problem with the premises in electrostatic pressure theory?

Problems can often be identified through experimental discrepancies or inconsistencies with theoretical predictions. If observed behaviors, such as droplet coalescence or stability, do not match the predictions made using the theory, it may indicate that one or more premises have been violated or are not applicable in the given context.

What are some potential solutions to address issues with premises in electrostatic pressure theory?

Potential solutions include refining the model to account for non-uniform charge distributions, incorporating dynamic effects instead of assuming static conditions, or conducting more detailed experimental studies to better understand the underlying physics. Additionally, using computational simulations can help explore scenarios that are difficult to analyze analytically.

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
564
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
587
Replies
8
Views
3K
Back
Top