Re: [TCML] Capacitor Conundrum

[Sfxneon@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 8/23/2008 2:06:51 P.M. Central Daylight Time, Antonio  
writes:

<< The charges stay at the surfaces of the conductors  facing the 
dielectric. But if the electric field is strong enough, and there  is a small 
space 
between the plates and the dielectric, as in the case of  that dissectible 
Leyden 
jar, they may leak to the surface of the dielectric.  >>

Antonio, if the plates are in intimate contact with the  dielectric, (like in 
metallized polypropylene capacitors) does the charge reside  at the boundary 
between the two? 

<< Note that the charges are just excess of lack of electrons in  some atoms.
Actually in a quite small portion of the atoms at the plate  surfaces. It is
easy to verify that if you take just one electron from one in  100000 of the
atoms in a flat surface, the electric field is intense enough  to ionize 
air and produce sparks. >>
 
That action sounds similar to what happens with the triboelectric  effect 
with glass and mercury. When mercury moves across glass, electrons  are stripped 
away, leaving a charge on the glass. If the mercury is placed into  a sealed 
tube with low pressure neon gas, there is enough of an  unequal charge behind a 
moving mercury drop to ionize the neon and cause  the trailing edge of the 
mercury to glow orange.
 
This is fascinating stuff. Thanks to all!
 
Tony Greer
 



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