I\'m trying to conduct a physics experiment but I\'m getting confused. I have a
ID: 1316636 • Letter: I
Question
I'm trying to conduct a physics experiment but I'm getting confused.
I have a positively charged electrophorus (aluminum plate) and a parallel plate capacitor that has one grounded plate and one ungrounded plate.
1) a. If I touch the ungrounded plate with the (+) electrophorus, what type of charge should develop on the grounded plate?
b. Is there an electric field between the two conducting plates of the capacitor?
2) If I hang an uncharged conducting sphere (pith ball) in between the capacitor plates, what is supposed to happen? Mine does nothing. Is this right? Why? I tried moving it side to side closer to either of the plates, but does this matter? Why or why not?
3) a. If touch the same sphere hanging on a string with the conducting plate of the capacitor that I charged in 1), what should happen?
b. Then, what should happen if I put the conducting sphere midway between the plates after charging the sphere?
c. Finally, why does the sphere stop moving after I put it in between the plates? What's the charge distribution on the sphere and the plates?
Thank you so much.
Explanation / Answer
1a. positive
b.yes
2.nothing happens as its between the two plates with the same charge.
3a. its attracted at first and then repelled.
b. it will be unaffected. c. because the net force acting on it by the plates will be zero. positive.
c.