Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Gauss's Law
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Gauss's Law
Two conducting plates X and Y , each having a large surface area A...
Two conducting plates and , each having a large surface area (on one side), are positioned parallel to one another. A charge is imparted to plate , while the other plate remains neutral. Determine the electric field at a point to the right of the plates.

Options
- A towards right
- B towards left
- CZero
- D towards right
Correct answer
D. towards right
Step-by-step solution
Consider the surfaces of the plates as 1, 2 (for plate X) and 3, 4 (for plate Y) from left to right.
The total charge on the system of plates is .
The charge on the outermost surfaces (1 and 4) is equal to half of the total charge:
The charges on the inner surfaces (2 and 3) are equal and opposite:
The electric field at a point to the right of the plates is the vector sum of the fields due to all four surfaces. Taking the right direction as positive:
Since the result is positive, the electric field is directed towards the right.
The total charge on the system of plates is .
The charge on the outermost surfaces (1 and 4) is equal to half of the total charge:
The charges on the inner surfaces (2 and 3) are equal and opposite:
The electric field at a point to the right of the plates is the vector sum of the fields due to all four surfaces. Taking the right direction as positive:
Since the result is positive, the electric field is directed towards the right.