An electric field is set up between two parallel plates, each of area 2.0 m², by putting 1.0 μC charge on one plate and a -1.0 μC charge on the other. The plates are separated by 4.0 mm. What is the magnitude of the electric field between the plates at a distance of 1.0 mm from the positive plate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric field between parallel plates is uniform and given by E = σ/ε₀, where σ is the surface charge density. σ = Q/A = 1.0 μC / 2.0 m² = 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ C/m². Thus, E = (5.0 × 10⁻⁷ C/m²) / (8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²/N·m²) = 5.6 × 10⁴ N/C. The distance from the positive plate does not affect the magnitude of the uniform electric field between the plates.

An Electric Field Is Set Up Between Two Parallel Plates