Question

Sketch the electric field between the two conducting plates shown in Figure 18.50, given the top plate is positive and an equal amount of negative charge is on the bottom plate. Be certain to indicate the distribution of charge on the plates.

Figure 18.50

Short answer

The electric field lines between the two conducting plates are perpendicular to their surface and emerge from the positively charged plate and terminate at the negatively charged plate.

Step-by-step solution

Electric field lines

Electric field lines are the imaginary lines having no physical significance, drawn in such a way that the tangent to the line gives the direction of the electric field at that point.

Direction of the electric field lines between the conducting plates

The electric field lines originate from the positive charge and terminate to the negative charge.

As the top conducting plate is charged positively and the bottom conducting plate is charged negatively. Hence, the electric field is directed downwards and represented as,

Electric field lines between the conducting plates