A capacitor consisting of two parallel plates separated by 2.0 cm has a potential of 40 V on the top plate and a potential of 0 V on the bottom plate. The electric field in the middle is
A) 2000 N/C, downward.
B) 80 N/C, upward.
C) 40 N/C, downward.
D) 20 N/C, upward.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric field (E) between two parallel plates is given by E = V/d, where V is the potential difference and d is the separation between the plates. Here, V = 40 V and d = 2.0 cm = 0.02 m. Thus, E = 40 V / 0.02 m = 2000 N/C. The direction is from the positive to the negative plate, hence downward.

A Capacitor Consisting of Two Parallel Plates Separated by 2