3 ms·
Electrons can still pass through perfect vacuums.
by 0db532a0 8y ago
Electrons can still pass through perfect vacuums.
- arkades 8y agoI think that’s implied by his pointing out that capacitors use vacuum. A cap that doesn’t allow electron flow wouldn’t be a cap.
- Wehrdo 8y agoA capacitor shouldn't allow electron flow between its (dielectric separated) plates. The charges should build up on the plates, then exit through the terminals when discharging. If charges cross the dielectric, then you have leakage.
- arkades 8y agoHm. Apparently my Phys101-level understanding of electronics has caught up to me.
- ben_w 8y agoCaps don’t allow electrons through, do they? They resist DC, they only conduct AC?
- 0db532a0 8y agoThat is correct. The dielectric ‘conducts’ an electric field, which attracts and repels electrons on the opposing plates.
- Koshkin 8y agoVacuum is a special case of an insulator. Others will conduct beyond some threshold voltage; vacuum will not. On the other hand, vacuum will conduct at any voltage as soon as free charges are injected into it.
- 0db532a0 8y agoBut electrons can still pass through perfect vacuums. Whether or not a vacuum conducts (obviously it doesn’t) is irrelevant.