Gauss Law Problems - Infinite Sheet of Charge and Parallel Plate Capacitor - Physics

The Organic Chemistry Tutor
11 Jan 201710:27
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script offers an in-depth exploration of calculating electric fields. It begins with the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of positive charge with a surface charge density of 60 nanocoulombs per square meter, using Gauss's Law to derive the formula. The script then shifts to the electric field between two parallel plates, illustrating how the field is generated by oppositely charged sheets and emphasizing its independence from distance due to the plates' large size. The final calculations for both scenarios are provided, highlighting the electric field's dependence on surface charge density and the permittivity of free space.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š The video focuses on calculating the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge and between two parallel plates.
  • πŸ” Surface charge density is defined as the total charge divided by the area, measured in coulombs per square meter.
  • πŸ“ Gauss's law is used to derive the formula for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge.
  • 🧲 The electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge is independent of the distance from the sheet due to its infinite size.
  • πŸ“ˆ The electric field (E) from an infinite sheet of charge is calculated as the surface charge density (Οƒ) divided by 2 times the permittivity of free space (Ξ΅β‚€).
  • πŸ”’ For the given problem, the electric field is calculated using the formula E = Οƒ / (2Ξ΅β‚€), resulting in 3390 newtons per coulomb.
  • 🌐 The electric field between two oppositely charged parallel plates is considered, which is a scenario for a capacitor.
  • πŸ”— The electric field between the plates is the result of the combined effect of both charges, Q1 and Q2.
  • 🚫 The electric field outside the plates is negligible, as it cancels out, especially for sufficiently large plates.
  • πŸ”„ Gauss's law simplifies the calculation of the electric field between the plates to E = Οƒ / Ξ΅β‚€, as the flux through the Gaussian surface is just E times the area (A).
  • πŸ”‘ The final electric field between the plates is calculated as approximately 1.69 x 10^6 newtons per coulomb using the given surface charge density of 15 micro coulombs per square meter.
Q & A
  • What is the focus of the video script?

    -The video script focuses on calculating the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge and the electric field between two parallel plates, such as in a parallel plate capacitor.

  • What is the surface charge density given in the script?

    -The surface charge density given in the script is 60 nanocoulombs per square meter.

  • How is surface charge density defined in the context of the script?

    -In the script, surface charge density is defined as the total charge divided by the area.

  • What method is used to derive the formula for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge?

    -Gauss's law is used to derive the formula for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge.

  • Why does the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge not depend on the distance from the sheet?

    -The electric field does not depend on the distance because the sheet is so large that the effect of distance becomes negligible.

  • What is the formula derived for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge?

    -The formula derived for the electric field is E = Οƒ / (2Ξ΅β‚€), where E is the electric field, Οƒ is the surface charge density, and Ξ΅β‚€ is the vacuum permittivity.

  • What is the calculated electric field for the given surface charge density of 60 nanocoulombs per square meter?

    -The calculated electric field for the given surface charge density is 3390 newtons per coulomb.

  • What is the situation described for the electric field between two oppositely charged sheets?

    -The situation described is that of a capacitor, where the electric field is between two parallel plates with opposite charges, and the field outside the plates is negligible.

  • What is the formula for the electric field between two oppositely charged sheets or parallel plates?

    -The formula for the electric field between two oppositely charged sheets is E = Οƒ / Ξ΅β‚€.

  • What is the calculated electric field for the surface charge density of 15 microcoulombs per square meter?

    -The calculated electric field for the surface charge density of 15 microcoulombs per square meter is approximately 1.69 x 10^6 newtons per coulomb.

  • How can the electric field be described in terms of the total charge on the surface?

    -The electric field can be described as E = Q / (Ξ΅β‚€ * A), where Q is the total charge on the surface and A is the area of the plates.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ”‹ Calculating Electric Field of Infinite Charged Sheet

This paragraph discusses the calculation of the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge with a surface charge density of 60 nano coulombs per square meter. The explanation begins with the definition of surface charge density and proceeds to apply Gauss's law to derive the formula for the electric field. A visual aid, a cylinder, is used to demonstrate how the electric field lines exit in both directions, leading to an additive effect on the flux. The final formula obtained is E = Οƒ / (2Ξ΅β‚€), where E is the electric field, Οƒ is the surface charge density, and Ξ΅β‚€ is the vacuum permittivity. The calculation concludes with substituting the given values to find the electric field strength of 3390 newtons per coulomb, emphasizing that the field is independent of distance due to the sheet's infinite nature.

05:00
πŸ”Œ Electric Field Between Two Parallel Charged Plates

The second paragraph explores the electric field between two oppositely charged parallel plates, each with a surface charge density of 15 micro coulombs per square meter. The explanation involves drawing a visual representation and understanding that the electric field lines extend from the positive to the negative plate, with the field outside the plates being negligible. Focusing on the field between the plates, a Gaussian surface is used to apply Gauss's law, revealing that the electric field inside is a combination of the effects from both charges. The derived formula for the electric field between the plates is E = Οƒ / Ξ΅β‚€. Substituting the given surface charge density into the formula yields an electric field strength of approximately 1.69 Γ— 10^6 newtons per coulomb. The summary also touches on the relationship between surface charge density, total charge, and plate area.

10:01
πŸ“ Deriving Electric Field Formula for Parallel Plate Capacitor

The final paragraph builds upon the previous discussion to derive the formula for the electric field in terms of the total charge on the surface of the plates. It reiterates that the electric field between the plates can be expressed as the charge divided by the product of Ξ΅β‚€ and the plate area (A). If the total charge (Q) is unknown, it can be found by multiplying the surface charge density (Οƒ) by the plate area. This paragraph serves as a conclusion to the topic, reinforcing the understanding of how to calculate the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor configuration.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Electric Field
The electric field is a vector field that surrounds electrically charged particles and exerts force on other charged particles in its vicinity. In the video, the electric field is the central concept for understanding how an infinite sheet of charge and parallel plates produce and influence the surrounding space. For example, the script discusses calculating the electric field produced by an infinite sheet with a given surface charge density.
πŸ’‘Infinite Sheet of Charge
An infinite sheet of charge refers to a theoretical construct where charge is uniformly distributed across a surface that extends infinitely in two dimensions. The video uses this concept to illustrate how the electric field is generated by such a sheet, emphasizing that the field's strength is independent of distance from the sheet due to its infinite nature.
πŸ’‘Surface Charge Density
Surface charge density is a measure of the amount of electric charge per unit area on a surface. Defined as total charge divided by the area, it is crucial in the script for calculating the electric field produced by the infinite sheet of charge. The script provides an example with a surface charge density of 60 nanocoulombs per square meter.
πŸ’‘Gauss's Law
Gauss's Law is a fundamental principle in electromagnetism that relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the total charge enclosed by the surface. In the video, Gauss's Law is used to derive the formula for the electric field produced by both the infinite sheet of charge and the parallel plate capacitor, demonstrating its application in solving electrostatic problems.
πŸ’‘Electric Flux
Electric flux is a measure of the electric field passing through a given area and is related to the number of field lines that pass through that area. The script explains how electric flux is calculated using the integral of the electric field times the area, and it is equated to the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface divided by the permittivity of free space.
πŸ’‘Permittivity of Free Space (Epsilon Sub Naught)
The permittivity of free space, denoted as epsilon sub naught, is a physical constant that determines the amount of electric field produced by a unit charge in vacuum. With units of coulombs squared per newton times square meter, it is used in the script to calculate the electric field from both an infinite sheet and parallel plates.
πŸ’‘Parallel Plate Capacitor
A parallel plate capacitor is a type of capacitor where two conductive plates are placed parallel to each other with a dielectric material in between. The script discusses the electric field between two oppositely charged sheets, which is analogous to the electric field within a parallel plate capacitor, and how it is calculated using Gauss's Law.
πŸ’‘Gaussian Cylinder
A Gaussian cylinder is a cylindrical surface used in the application of Gauss's Law to calculate electric flux. In the script, it is used as the Gaussian surface to demonstrate how the electric field lines from the infinite sheet of charge contribute to the total electric flux through the cylinder's ends.
πŸ’‘Outward Flux
Outward flux refers to the electric flux that is directed away from the charge. The script describes how the electric field lines from the positive charge in the Gaussian cylinder represent an outward flux, which is additive when considering the total flux through the cylinder's ends.
πŸ’‘Surface Charge Density Formula
The surface charge density formula is used to relate the total charge on a surface to its area. In the script, this formula is applied to find the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface, which is then used in conjunction with Gauss's Law to solve for the electric field produced by the infinite sheet of charge.
πŸ’‘Electric Field Calculation
The calculation of the electric field is a process that involves using the principles of electromagnetism to determine the strength and direction of the electric field around charged objects. The script provides step-by-step calculations for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge and between two parallel plates, illustrating the application of Gauss's Law in these scenarios.
Highlights

The video focuses on calculating the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge and between two parallel plates.

Surface charge density is defined as the total charge divided by the area.

Gauss's law is used to derive a formula for the electric field produced by an infinite sheet of charge.

A Gaussian cylinder is used to visualize the electric field exiting in both directions.

Electric flux is additive for outward fluxes from the positive charge.

Gauss's law states that electric flux equals the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface divided by epsilon naught.

The electric field produced by an infinite sheet is independent of the distance from the sheet due to its large size.

The formula for the electric field of an infinite sheet is derived as E = Οƒ / (2Ξ΅β‚€).

Calculation example given for a surface charge density of 60 nanocoulombs per square meter.

Epsilon naught is given as 8.85 x 10^-12 CΒ²/NmΒ², the unit for permittivity of free space.

The electric field between two oppositely charged sheets is calculated with a surface charge density of 15 microcoulombs per square meter.

The electric field outside the plates cancels out, being negligible.

The electric field inside the plates is the focus, as it's the situation of a capacitor.

The electric field between plates is derived as E = Οƒ / Ξ΅β‚€.

The final answer for the electric field between plates is approximately 1.69 x 10^6 N/C.

The electric field can also be described in terms of the total charge on the surface.

The relationship between total charge, surface charge density, and area is explained.

Transcripts
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: