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Ah, right, thanks! I wonder if a capacitor approximates to a whole bunch of dipoles, and would that help to model the particlar situation?
So, are you saying my original answer was correct except for entirely the wrong reasons? []
Ok, I ran a quick numerical simulation. This plot is of the potential (vertical axis) over space for two plates that extend from -20 to 20 on the x-axis (the one pointing towards you) and places at -10 and 10 on the y-axis. The plates themselves correspond to the peak and trough. Since the potential energy of a particle placed near the plates is it's charge times this potential, if left to move freely with the plates held fixed, the particle will tend to roll either down or up this potential. The kinetic energy gained is the difference between the particle's starting and ending positions.You can see that as the particle escapes from the region between the plates, it will eventually reach the same potential energy with which it entered the plate region. This means the field extending beyond the edges of the plates slows it down by pulling on it.
Thank you JP, Geezer, and the rest of you.Why were we told that electric field is significantly weaker outside capacitor plates, and compared to the magnitude of the field inside capacitor, it's close to zero function?I mean, why were all those PhDs wasting their time on that if that wasn't true? But, if that is true, how come we have that nice simulation that JP have done?
One other thing... I have seen experiment where beam of electrons were shot between capacitor plates, and that beam was deflected. Angle of deflection was linear function of voltage applied to capacitor.
And last, but not the least...How come Moon is still orbiting the Earth? I mean, Moon's gravity pull is reason for ocean tides, and Moon is working it's 4ss off to keep that tide rolling 'round the planet.
Hm... if your simulation is correct, and I don't see why it wouldn't be, field just outside the capacitor should be extremly strong. Because electric field is negative gradient of potential.All after all, my confusion levels have significantly dropped due to this discussion. Thank you!