Final answer:
To double the voltage between two parallel conducting plates, you need to change the plate width. The electric field strength between the plates is inversely proportional to the plate separation. Thus, as the separation decreases, the electric field strength increases, resulting in a higher voltage. To calculate the plate width needed to double the voltage, you can use the formula V2 = V1 * (d1 / d2), where V2 is the desired voltage (double the initial voltage), V1 is the initial voltage, d1 is the initial plate separation, and d2 is the new plate separation (unknown). An example is provided for better understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
To double the voltage between two parallel conducting plates, you need to change the plate width. The electric field strength between the plates is inversely proportional to the plate separation. Thus, as the separation decreases, the electric field strength increases, resulting in a higher voltage. To calculate the plate width needed to double the voltage, you can use the formula:
V2 = V1 * (d1 / d2)
where V2 is the desired voltage (double the initial voltage), V1 is the initial voltage, d1 is the initial plate separation, and d2 is the new plate separation (unknown).
Let's solve an example:
Suppose the initial voltage (V1) between the plates is 100 V, and the initial plate separation (d1) is 2.00 cm. We want to find the new plate separation (d2) that would double the voltage. Plugging the values into the formula:
V2 = 100 V * (2.00 cm / d2)
Assuming d2 is in centimeters, to double the voltage, the new plate separation (d2) would be 4.00 cm.