Final answer:
The subject matter is related to the electric field and potential difference between parallel conducting plates, concepts covered in high school physics. The electric field is calculated using the charge density and the permittivity of free space, while potential difference is determined by the electric field and the separation distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon described relates to the electric field and potential difference that exists between two large parallel conducting plates separated by a distance. Understanding this concept is a key part of high school physics curriculum, particularly when discussing electrostatics and capacitors. The magnitude of the electric field (E) between two such plates with a surface charge density (σ) can be calculated using the formula E = σ/ε0, where ε0 is the permittivity of free space.
The potential difference (V) between the plates can be found by multiplying the electric field (E) by the distance (d) between the plates, represented as V = E × d. This potential difference is what defines the capability of the plates to store electrical energy and to exert a force on charges within the field. The distance between equipotential planes, which differ by a certain voltage, can also be calculated using these principles. The understanding of these concepts is further reinforced by considering the effect of a non-parallel placement of conducting plates on the electric field distribution.