Two large metal plates (each of area A) are held a small distance d

a part. Suppose we put a chargeQon each plate; what is the electrostatic pressure on the plates?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The electrostatic pressure on each plate of the parallel plate capacitor isP=Q22ε0A2

Step by step solution

01

Determine the electric field.

The electric field on either side of a charge-density conducting plate is as follows:

E=σ2ε0

Here, ε0is the permittivity for free space, Eis the electric field and σcharge density.

02

Determine magnitude of electric force

The magnitude of the electric force Facting on a charge in an electric field is expressed as,

F=EQ

Here,Qis the amount of the charge.

Substitute σ2ε0for Ein above equation.

F=σ2ε0Q

Write the expression for surface charge density on each plate of the capacitor is,

σ=QA

Here, Ais the area of the surface.

Substitutelocalid="1654319488470" QAfor σin the equationlocalid="1654319511537" F=σ2ε0Q

F=QA2ε0Q

=Q22ε0A

03

Determine the electrostatic pressure on the plates

The following formula can be used to calculate the pressure Pacting on a surface due to a force F:

P=FA

Substitute Q22ε0Afor F

Determine the electrostatic pressure on the parallel plate capacitor's individual plates.

role="math" localid="1654320112871" P=Q22ε0AA=Q22ε0A

Hence, the electrostatic pressure on each plate of the parallel plate capacitor is

P=Q22ε0A2

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free