Physics · Glossary

What is Parallel-plate capacitor?

Also known as: capacitor · uniform field

Definition 14.9 High School Physics · Chapter 14 — Electric and Gravitational Fields

Two facing parallel metal plates, close together and carrying opposite charges, form a capacitor. Between the plates the field is uniform: same magnitude and direction everywhere — perpendicular to the plates, from the positive plate to the negative.

The uniform field of a capacitor: parallel, equally spaced lines from the + plate to the - plate, E = U/d; a positive charge is pushed along the field, a negative one against it.
The uniform field of a capacitor: parallel, equally spaced lines from the ++ plate to the - plate, E=U/dE = U/d; a positive charge is pushed along the field, a negative one against it.
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