Electric field between a source and a sink on a sheet

jasonben · Jul 17, 2009

Can someone help me with some questions about the picture at Electric field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia?

Is there anything about the composition of sheets that is known to significantly or insignificantly effect the curves representing the electric field between a source and a sink? Are larger curves similar to smaller curves when the distance between the source and the sink is increased - or do they have a different general shape. Is there a general formula for the curves on homogeneous sheets? Is the amount of resistance between the source and the sink directly proportional to the distance between the source and the sink? What are the formulas for the curves between the source and the sink and the total resistance between the source and the sink - if there are general formulas? I suppose that I am asking for a formula of the electric field. How does the amount of current traveling through each curve relate to the shape of each curve?

If the current through one of the curves can be known, is the resistance along this curve directly proportional to the length of the curve? If not, is there a resistance formula that describes this that I can use with Ohm's Law for a curve. Is there a way to define both the current and resistance along any one curve?

senor_fabulous · Jul 30, 2009

It comes down to known physical quantities, size, csa, length, atomic make up of material, temperature, accuracy of measuring equipment, laboratory conditions. The behavior of electrons at the sub atomic level. You should look at the findings of Nils Bohr. Quantum mechanics suggest the the behavior of electrons would follow a square law and not a curve between source and sink.

c.boy · Jul 30, 2009

Laugh my head off!!! Ask someone wi big specs and a white coat!!! and who cares anyway!! sorry ill have to get back to the tardus!!!

chocolate · Jul 30, 2009

I know what you mean !!!! The lines / curves that link the cathode and anode together are ONLY an illustration of an available path that an electron ( or electric current ) will flow between the two. Yes ideally, a straight line between the two is best. But you are assuming there that electrons will leave and enter from those points. In reality, that's nothing like what happens. Thin of a magnet. You have a North pole, but the magnetic field spreads out in all directions. The same applies with electric fields.

There are equations that will allow you to calculate the electric field strength at a point anywhere between the cathode and anode. However, there is no equation that allows you to calculate current flow in relation to the curved lines. They are drawn to illustrate something, and are not factual curves. They do not actually exist. They are drawn to help scientists and engineers understand how it all works.

Forget Maxwells equations. You are moving into a depth of Phyiscs you really want to avoid.

jasonben · Jul 31, 2009

DPG said:
Ignore pyramid integrators - they do not apply in this case and could confuse.
Assuming Clarke’s Index to be close to infinity, you can express Z in terms of its subordinate roots and then map this to the sheet in question. Never under-estimate the Frobisher Constant though. Daz

Can you recommend a site where I can learn more about this - or could you explain it? One thing that I'm also interested in is how resistance varies as a function of distance in large sheets up to two feet by two feet.

senor_fabulous said:
It comes down to known physical quantities, size, csa, length, atomic make up of material, temperature, accuracy of measuring equipment, laboratory conditions. The behavior of electrons at the sub atomic level. You should look at the findings of Nils Bohr. Quantum mechanics suggest the the behavior of electrons would follow a square law and not a curve between source and sink.

I'm afraid that if I researched Bohr, I'd have to learn about all of his work before I learned about what I am presently interested in. Maybe that is the only way. If it is useful, more direction would help, however. Is there a qualitative description of what effects the path? Where can I learn more about the square law?

chocolate said:
I know what you mean !!!! The lines / curves that link the cathode and anode together are ONLY an illustration of an available path that an electron ( or electric current ) will flow between the two. Yes ideally, a straight line between the two is best. But you are assuming there that electrons will leave and enter from those points. In reality, that's nothing like what happens. Thin of a magnet. You have a North pole, but the magnetic field spreads out in all directions. The same applies with electric fields.

There are equations that will allow you to calculate the electric field strength at a point anywhere between the cathode and anode. However, there is no equation that allows you to calculate current flow in relation to the curved lines. They are drawn to illustrate something, and are not factual curves. They do not actually exist. They are drawn to help scientists and engineers understand how it all works.

Forget Maxwells equations. You are moving into a depth of Phyiscs you really want to avoid.

Would Proxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 u help me find some of those equations for an isotropic sheet? I'd be more interested in something that is dependent on properties and not materials - if there is such an equation.

Would you help me find some of those equations for an isotropic sheet? I'd be more interested in something that is dependent on properties and not materials - if there is such an equation.