Question Details

Six infinitely large and thin non-conducting sheets are fixed in configurations I and II. As shown in the figure,

the sheets carry uniform surface charge densities which are indicated in terms of σ 0 . The separation between any

two consecutive sheets is  1 μ m. The various regions between the sheets are denoted as  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 .

If  σ 0 = 9 μ C m 2 , then which of the following statements is/are correct: ( Take permittivity of free space ε 0 = 9 × 10 12 F m )

Options

A

In region 4 of the configuration I, the magnitude of the electric field is zero.

B

In region 3 of the configuration II, the magnitude of the electric field is σ00.

C

Potential difference between the first and the last sheets of the configuration I is 5 V

D

Potential difference between the first and the last sheets of the configuration II is zero.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

In region 4 of the configuration I, the magnitude of the electric field is zero.

Solution :

The correct option is:
In region 4 of the configuration I, the magnitude of the electric field is zero.

1. Understanding the Electric Field due to an Infinite Sheet
An infinitely large, thin non-conducting sheet carrying a uniform surface charge density σ produces a uniform electric field on both sides. The magnitude of this electric field is given by:

E = σ 2 ε 0

The direction of the electric field is directed away from the sheet if the charge is positive (σ>0), and towards the sheet if the charge is negative (σ<0).

Let us define the unit vector pointing to the right as i^.
For a system of parallel sheets, the net electric field in any region is the vector sum of the electric fields produced by each individual sheet. For a region located relative to the sheets, the net electric field is:

E = 1 2 ε 0 σ left - σ right i^

where σleft is the sum of the charge densities of all sheets situated to the left of the region, and σright is the sum of the charge densities of all sheets situated to the right of the region.

2. Analysis of Configuration I
In Configuration I, the six sheets have the following surface charge densities from left to right:
- Sheet 1: σ1=+σ0
- Sheet 2: σ2=-σ0
- Sheet 3: σ3=+σ0
- Sheet 4: σ4=-σ0
- Sheet 5: σ5=+σ0
- Sheet 6: σ6=-σ0

Let us determine the electric field in Region 4 (which lies between Sheet 4 and Sheet 5):
- The sheets to the left of Region 4 are Sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4. The sum of their charge densities is:

σ left = σ 1 + σ 2 + σ 3 + σ 4 = σ 0 - σ 0 + σ 0 - σ 0 = 0

- The sheets to the right of Region 4 are Sheets 5 and 6. The sum of their charge densities is:

σ right = σ 5 + σ 6 = σ 0 - σ 0 = 0

Substituting these values into the net electric field formula for Region 4:

E 4 = 1 2 ε 0 0 - 0 = 0

Therefore, the magnitude of the electric field in Region 4 of Configuration I is indeed zero.

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