Two large conducting plates are placed parallel to each other and carry equal and opposite charges with surface density . Find the electric field in between the plates.

Step-by-step solution

Let the surface charge density on the inner surfaces of the positive and negative plates be + and - , respectively. The electric field at a point between the plates due to the positively charged plate is directed away from it and has a magnitude: E_+ = 2 ₀ The electric field at the same point due to the negatively charged plate is directed towards it (which is the same direction as E_+ ) and has a magnitude: E_- = 2 ₀ Since both fields point in the same direction (from the positive plate to the negative plate), the