Variance between two parallel plate capacitors

In summary, impurities on the surface of a capacitor plate can cause an uneven charge distribution, which can affect the results of the Millikan oil drop experiment by causing the drops to move out of view more quickly.
  • #1
Liquidxlax
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I have performed the Millikan oil drop experiment, but after a acquiring data for 14 drops it was impossible to collect anymore data because the drops would keep moving out of view under the influence of an electric field.

The thing is I made sure that everything was as level as possible and I don't see what would change after the 14th drop.

So I'm wondering is it possible for the charge distribution on a 4cm diameter capacitor plate to be not equally distributed throughout the surface of the material?

edit*** could impurities cause this?
 
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  • #2
Yes, impurities on the surface of the capacitor plate can lead to an uneven charge distribution. For example, if the plate has tiny imperfections or ridges in its surface, the fluid will flow around them differently due to different levels of friction, leading to an uneven charge distribution. This uneven charge distribution can cause the oil drops to move out of view more quickly than expected.
 

FAQ: Variance between two parallel plate capacitors

1. What is the concept of variance between two parallel plate capacitors?

The variance between two parallel plate capacitors is the difference in their capacitance values. Capacitance is a measure of how much charge a capacitor can store, and it is directly proportional to the area of the plates and inversely proportional to the distance between them. Therefore, the variance between two capacitors can occur due to differences in their plate areas or plate separation distances.

2. How does the voltage affect the variance between two parallel plate capacitors?

The voltage applied to a capacitor has no direct effect on the variance between two parallel plate capacitors. However, a higher voltage can cause an increase in the electric field and thus, a decrease in the effective distance between the plates. This can lead to a decrease in the variance between the two capacitors.

3. What factors can contribute to the variance between two parallel plate capacitors?

There are several factors that can contribute to the variance between two parallel plate capacitors, such as differences in plate area, plate material, plate separation distance, dielectric material between the plates, and the type of dielectric used.

4. How can the variance between two parallel plate capacitors be minimized?

In order to minimize the variance between two parallel plate capacitors, the plates should be made of the same material, have the same area, and be separated by the same distance. Additionally, using the same type of dielectric material between the plates can also help reduce the variance.

5. What are some real-life applications of understanding the variance between two parallel plate capacitors?

Understanding the variance between two parallel plate capacitors is crucial in various electronic applications, such as designing circuits with precise capacitance values, tuning radio frequencies, and creating capacitors with specific properties for different uses. It is also important in industries that use capacitors, such as telecommunications, power generation, and automotive.

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