Consider a capacitor with charge +Q on a plate on charge -Q on the other plate.

Question

Consider a capacitor with charge +Q on a plate on charge -Q on the other plate.

a.) If a wire is now connected, would charge flow in the wire?

b.) If so, explain why charge would flow in terms of the electric field. In not explain why not.

c.) If charge does flow, would it flow continuously always in the same direction? WOuld it flow for a period of time and then stop? Or would it flow and then switch direction? Describe the flow as a function of time. Explain

d.) WOuld the potential difference between the plates change or remain constant? would it increase of decrease? Explain.

If you keep a constant +Q charge on the plate and a -Q charge on the other plate, would charge flow through the wire? Would the charge flow continuously? Would the potential difference between the plates change or remain constant.

Explanation / Answer

a.) If a wire is now connected, would charge flow in the wire?
Yes
b.) If so, explain why charge would flow in terms of the electric field. In not explain why not.

Electric field of the + Q plate "pushes" positive charges to the -Q charged plate

c.) If charge does flow, would it flow continuously always in the same direction? WOuld it flow for a period of time and then stop? Or would it flow and then switch direction? Describe the flow as a function of time. Explain

It would it flow continuously always in the same direction but decreasing with time.

i(t) = i0*e-t/   = RC


d.) WOuld the potential difference between the plates change or remain constant? would it increase of decrease? Explain.

As q deacreased with time, so  does the potential difference, since capacitance C is constant

V(t) = q(t)/c

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.