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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Capacitors

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Capacitors

The capacitance between the adjacent plates depicted in the figure...

The capacitance between the adjacent plates depicted in the figure is 50extnF50 ext{ nF}. A charge of 1.0extμC1.0 ext{ }\mu\text{C} is placed on the middle plate. Determine the charge on the outer surface of the upper plate.
The capacitance between the adjacent plates depicted in the figure is 50 ext nF . A charge of 1.0 ext is placed on the

Options

  1. A0.25extμC0.25 ext{ }\mu\text{C}
  2. B1.0extμC1.0 ext{ }\mu\text{C}
  3. C0.50extμC0.50 ext{ }\mu\text{C}
  4. D0extμC0 ext{ }\mu\text{C}

Correct answer

C. 0.50extμC0.50 ext{ }\mu\text{C}

Step-by-step solution

Let the three parallel plates be 1 (upper), 2 (middle), and 3 (lower).

The charges given to the plates are:
Q1=0Q_1 = 0
Q2=1.0μCQ_2 = 1.0 \mu\text{C}
Q3=0Q_3 = 0

The total charge on the system of plates is:
Qnet=Q1+Q2+Q3=0+1.0μC+0=1.0μCQ_{\text{net}} = Q_1 + Q_2 + Q_3 = 0 + 1.0 \mu\text{C} + 0 = 1.0 \mu\text{C}

For a system of parallel conducting plates, the electric field inside the bulk of any conducting plate must be zero. By applying Gauss's law or the principle of superposition of electric fields due to charged sheets, it can be shown that the charge appearing on the outermost surfaces of the system is always equal and is exactly half of the total net charge of the system.

Let qoutq_{\text{out}} be the charge on the outer surface of the upper plate.
qout=Qnet2q_{\text{out}} = \dfrac{Q_{\text{net}}}{2}

Substituting the value of QnetQ_{\text{net}}:
qout=1.0μC2=0.50μCq_{\text{out}} = \dfrac{1.0 \mu\text{C}}{2} = 0.50 \mu\text{C}

The capacitance value given (50 nF50 \text{ nF}) is extra information and is not required to find the charge distribution on the outermost surfaces.
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