Practice question
Question
A conductor has a surface charge density of \( 2.5 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{C/m}^2 \). What is the
electric field just outside it? (Take \( \varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}^2
\text{N}^{-1} \text{m}^{-2} \)).
Explanation
**Potential due to point charge** V = (1/4π ε₀)Q/r, positive Q gives positive V, negative gives negative. At r=0.3 m from Q=3×10⁻⁸ C, V=9×10⁹×3×10⁻⁸/0.3=900 V. Work done moving charge q from infinity (V=0) to point where V=40 V is W = q V =9×10⁻⁶×40=3.6×10⁻⁴ J. E = (sigma/ε₀) = (2.5 × 10⁻⁶/8.85 × 10⁻¹²) ≈ 2.82 × 10⁵ N/C . Using V = kQ/r, U = k q₁q₂/r, E = -dV/dr, C = ε₀A/d, 1/C_eq series, C_eq = ΣC parallel, U = ½ C V² and common potential V = Q_total/C_total, result 2.82 × 10⁵ N/C follows, reflecting potential-capacitance relations.
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