Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 28 - The Electric Potential - Exercises and Problems - Page 837: 78

Answer

See the detailed answer below.

Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We know that the electric field between two parallel plates [inside a capcitor] is given by $$E=\dfrac{\eta}{\epsilon_0}=\dfrac{q}{A\epsilon_0}\tag 1$$ And we know that the electric potential between the two plates is given by $$\Delta V_C=Ed $$ where $d$ is the separation distance between the two plates. Plug $E$ from (1), $$\Delta V_C=\dfrac{qd}{A\epsilon_0}\tag 2$$ Recalling that $U=qV$, so $$dU=dq \Delta V_C$$ Plug $\Delta V_C$ from (2), $$\boxed{dU= \dfrac{qd}{A\epsilon_0}dq}$$ This is the infinitesimal increase in electric potential energy. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ We just need to integrate the boxed formula above. $$\int_0^UdU=\int_0^Q \dfrac{qd}{A\epsilon_0}dq$$ $$U= \dfrac{d}{2A\epsilon_0}\int_0^Qq dq= \dfrac{d}{A\epsilon_0} q^2\bigg|_0^Q$$ $$U= \dfrac{Q^2d}{A\epsilon_0} $$ And from (2), $$U= \dfrac{Qd}{A\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{2}=\frac{1}{2}Q\Delta V_C $$ $$\boxed{U=\frac{1}{2}Q\Delta V_C =U_{\rm cap}}$$
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