CAPACITOR IN WATER VIOLATES THE SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

http://iopscience.iop.org/1367-2630/...3020/fulltext/
New J. Phys. 12 (2010) 053020, Microscopic derivation of electromagnetic force density in magnetic dielectric media, A Shevchenko and B J Hoenders: "As a first example, we consider the well-known experiment on raising a dielectric liquid within a parallel-plate capacitor. The capacitor is partially immersed in the liquid, and the liquid rises when a horizontal static electric field E is applied between the plates."

http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0812/0812.4845.pdf
"The fluid will rise between the capacitor plates..."

And if a small hole is punched in one of the plates, will the liquid constantly flow through it, in violation to the second law of thermodynamics? Yes - there is a hydrostatic pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the capacitor. The hole could be drilled at the level of points 3 and 5 in FIG. 1 below (the hydrostatic pressure variation from point 1 to point 5 is shown in FIG. 2):

http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~yec...MagnFluids.pdf
Can. J . Phys., 60. 449 (1982), Fluids in electric and magnetic fields, I. BREVIK: "FIG. 1. Two charged condenser plates partly immersed in a dielectric liquid. (...) FIG. 2. The hydrostatic pressure variation from point 1 to point 5 in Fig. 1."

Pentcho Valev

The force of attraction between two opposite charges (or between the plates of a constant-charge capacitor) immersed in water substantially decreases. The reason is that an additional hydrostatic pressure between the charges (plates) emerges; this pressure pushes the charges (plates) apart and so counteracts the original electrical force of attraction. In characterizing the situation Panofsky and Phillips use expressions such as "somewhat mysterious", "lacks a physical explanation", "cannot be explained by electrical forces alone":

http://www.amazon.com/Classical-Elec.../dp/0486439240
Classical Electricity and Magnetism: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics), Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky, Melba Phillips, p. 114: "This means that if a system maintained at constant charge is totally surrounded by a dielectric liquid all mechanical forces will drop in the ratio 1/k. A factor 1/k is frequently included in the expression for Coulomb's law to indicate this decrease in force. The physical significance of this reduction of force, which is required by energy considerations, is often somewhat mysterious. It is difficult to see on the basis of a field theory why the interaction between two charges should be dependent upon the nature or condition of the intervening material, and therefore the inclusion of an extra factor 1/k in Coulomb's law lacks a physical explanation." p.115: "Therefore the decrease in force... cannot be explained by electrical forces alone." pp.115-116: "Thus the decrease in force that is experienced between two charges when they are immersed in a dielectric liquid can be understood only by considering the effect of the pressure of the liquid on the charges themselves. In accordance with the philosophy of the action-at-a-distance theory, no change in the purely electrical interaction between the charges takes place."

Two problems:

1. If the additional hydrostatic pressure between the charges (plates) "cannot be explained by electrical forces alone", then one must conclude that a NON-CONSERVATIVE force (one which can do work in isothermal conditions at the expense of heat absorbed from the surroundings) is present in the system. This undermines the deductive edifice of classical electrostatics built on the assumption that only conservative (electrical) forces are present.

2. Since there is a hydrostatic pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the capacitor, water will constantly flow through a small hole punched in one of the plates, down the pressure gradient and in violation to the second law of thermodynamics.

Pentcho Valev