Three plate capacitor and charge distribution

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the charge distribution in a three-plate capacitor system, where plates A and C are connected to the positive terminal of a battery and plate B to the negative terminal. It is clarified that plates A and C acquire positive charges, while plate B acquires a negative charge. There is confusion regarding whether both sides of plate B could have negative charges, but it is emphasized that opposite charges are required on capacitor plates. The interaction of charges is explained, noting that the negative charge on plate B repels negative charges from plates A and C, leaving them positively charged. The conversation highlights the complexities of understanding capacitor behavior in electrical circuits.
aashutosh
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In the figure given the capacitance for the two pair would be same. Can anybody please explain me how the charge would be distributed across each plate?
I think that the middle plate being isolated should have +Q on one side and -Q on other, but how would be the charge distribution about the remaining plates as both of them are connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
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A and C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery and acquire positive charge. B is connected to the negative terminal and acquire negative charge.
 
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zoki85 said:
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A and C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery and acquire positive charge. B is connected to the negative terminal and acquire negative charge.
1.png
so will the charge distribution on the plates be as shown in the figure? If B is connected to the negative terminal then will both the sides of the plates will have -Q charge. But the pair of capacitor plates should have opposite charges right? Please i am a little confused with this. Correct me if i am wrong.
 
aashutosh said:
so will the charge distribution on the plates be as shown in the figure? If B is connected to the negative terminal then will both the sides of the plates will have -Q charge. But the pair of capacitor plates should have opposite charges right? Please i am a little confused with this. Correct me if i am wrong.

no, Plates A and C are positively charged and Plate B is negatively charged

1a.GIF


Why would you expect it to be any different to this ?
you cannot get a excess negative charge on a plate connected to the battery positive ;)
Dave
 
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davenn said:
no, Plates A and C are positively charged and Plate B is negatively charged

View attachment 78672

Why would you expect it to be any different to this ?
you cannot get a excess negative charge on a plate connected to the battery positive ;)
Dave
Ok thank you. I thought that the capacitor plates should have + charge on one side and - on other side. May be i got confused.
 
aashutosh said:
Ok thank you. I thought that the capacitor plates should have + charge on one side and - on other side. May be i got confused.

No Problems

Just consider that the negative charge on plate B is going to "drive off " ( repel) negative charges off plates A and C and thereby leaving them positively charged :)

Dave
 
keep up the learning and questions
studying and learning about electronics and its related physics will keep you going for a lifetime
I have been at it for 40+ years and there's still so much I don't know haha ... its just such a huge subject
 
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