When a conducting disc is made to rotate about its axis
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
When a conducting disc is made to rotate about its axis, the centrifugal force causes the free electrons to be pushed toward the edge. This causes a sort of polarization and an electric field is induced. The radial movement of free electrons stops when electric force on an electron balance the centrifugal force. Calculate the potential difference developed across the centre and the edge of a disc of radius R rotating with angular speed ω. [This potential difference is sometimes called as sedimentation potential]. Take mass and charge of an electron to be m and e respectively.