Gauss's Law
An infinite plane sheet of charge has surface charge density (\sigma = 4 \times 10^{-6}) C/m². What is the magnitude of the electric field at a point 10 cm from the sheet?
Select the correct option:
Solution
\(2.26 \times 10^5\) N/C
Gauss's Law applied to an infinite plane sheet of charge yields the electric field by choosing a cylindrical Gaussian pillbox with faces parallel to the sheet. Since the field is symmetric and perpendicular to the sheet on both sides, the flux through the two flat faces gives (2EA = \frac{\sigma A}{\varepsilon_0}), leading to (E = \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_0}). Critically, this result is independent of the distance from the sheet — the field is uniform throughout space on each side. With (\sigma = 4 \times 10^{-6}) C/m² and (\varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}) C²/N·m²: (E = \frac{4 \times 10^{-6}}{2 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}} = \frac{4 \times 10^{-6}}{1.77 \times 10^{-11}} \approx 2.26 \times 10^5) N/C. Option (4.52 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it uses (E = \sigma/\varepsilon_0) (missing the factor of 2). Option (1.13 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it introduces an extra factor of 2 in the denominator. Option (9.04 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it is four times the correct answer. Notably, the distance of 10 cm is irrelevant — the field from an infinite sheet is uniform. Plausibility check: (10^5) N/C scale for microcoulomb/m² surface density is consistent with standard JEE problems.
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More gauss's law Practice Questions
The net magnetic flux through any arbitrary closed surface is always exactly zero; this fundamental ...
The net magnetic flux through any arbitrary closed surface is always exactly zero; this fundamental ...
A cubical Gaussian surface encloses a net charge of 8.85 nanocoulomb at its centre inside a vacuum, ...
A cubical Gaussian surface encloses a net charge of 8.85 nanocoulomb at its centre inside a vacuum, ...
Using a long charged wire in a physics demonstration, the field around an infinite line charge follo...
Using a long charged wire in a physics demonstration, the field around an infinite line charge follo...
A spherical Gaussian surface of radius 15 cm is drawn around a point charge. How does the total elec...
A spherical Gaussian surface of radius 15 cm is drawn around a point charge. How does the total elec...
A solid conducting sphere of radius (R) is given a total charge (Q). A concentric thin spherical...
A solid conducting sphere of radius (R) is given a total charge (Q). A concentric thin spherical...
About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- electrostatics
- Topic
- gauss's law
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
\(2.26 \times 10^5\) N/C
Gauss's Law applied to an infinite plane sheet of charge yields the electric field by choosing a cylindrical Gaussian pillbox with faces parallel to the sheet. Since the field is symmetric and perpendicular to the sheet on both sides, the flux through the two flat faces gives (2EA = \frac{\sigma A}{\varepsilon_0}), leading to (E = \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_0}). Critically, this result is independent of the distance from the sheet — the field is uniform throughout space on each side. With (\sigma = 4 \times 10^{-6}) C/m² and (\varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}) C²/N·m²: (E = \frac{4 \times 10^{-6}}{2 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}} = \frac{4 \times 10^{-6}}{1.77 \times 10^{-11}} \approx 2.26 \times 10^5) N/C. Option (4.52 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it uses (E = \sigma/\varepsilon_0) (missing the factor of 2). Option (1.13 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it introduces an extra factor of 2 in the denominator. Option (9.04 \times 10^5) N/C is incorrect because it is four times the correct answer. Notably, the distance of 10 cm is irrelevant — the field from an infinite sheet is uniform. Plausibility check: (10^5) N/C scale for microcoulomb/m² surface density is consistent with standard JEE problems.
This medium difficulty physics question is from the chapter electrostatics, covering the topic of gauss's law. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all physics questions or browse electrostatics questions on RankGuru.