Compare the magnitudes of the electric fields at five points (A, B, C, D, and E) inside of a capacitor.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: The magnitudes of the electric fields at points A, B, C, D, and E inside a capacitor are all equal.
In a parallel plate capacitor, the electric field between the plates is uniform. This means that the strength (magnitude) and direction of the field are the same at all points that lie between the plates and away from the edges. Points A, B, C, D, and E, if they are inside the space between the plates and not near the edge, will all experience the same electric field magnitude.
The electric field EE inside a capacitor is given by the formula: E=VdE = \frac{V}{d}
Where:
- EE is the electric field,
- VV is the voltage difference between the plates,
- dd is the separation distance between the plates.
Because both VV and dd are constants for a given capacitor, the electric field is the same throughout the interior space. This field does not vary based on horizontal position or height within the parallel plate area, as long as the position is not too close to the edges where fringing effects (slight bending of field lines) occur. In ideal conditions, the fringing effect is ignored.
This uniformity ensures that a test charge placed at any of the points A through E will experience the same force magnitude. The direction will always be from the positive plate to the negative plate, but since the question focuses on magnitude, direction is not considered.
In summary, assuming that points A, B, C, D, and E are all within the inner region of the capacitor and not near the edge, the electric field magnitude is the same at each point.