The Levitating Water Drop · AI Generator #GEN-3BA9020F

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

A small charged water droplet of mass m=2.4×10−12  kgm = 2.4 \times 10^{-12}\;\text{kg} and charge q=+8.0×10−15  Cq = +8.0 \times 10^{-15}\;\text{C} is suspended motionless in the air between two horizontal parallel plates. The upper plate carries a positive charge density σ1=+3.2×10−6  C/m2\sigma_1 = +3.2 \times 10^{-6}\;\text{C/m}^2, while the lower plate carries a negative charge density σ2=−1.6×10−6  C/m2\sigma_2 = -1.6 \times 10^{-6}\;\text{C/m}^2. The plates are separated by a distance d=8.0  mmd = 8.0\;\text{mm}, and the droplet is located at a height h=3.2  mmh = 3.2\;\text{mm} above the lower plate. Find the electric potential at the location of the water droplet, taking the potential of the lower plate to be zero.

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