Obtain an expression for the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) We consider a Gaussian surface in the form of a pillbox of extremely small length and extremely small cross-sectional area $dS$.
$A$ fraction of this pillbox is inside the conductor,and the remaining part is outside the surface.
The total charge enclosed by this pillbox is $q = \sigma dS$,where $\sigma$ is the surface charge density of the conductor.
At every point on the surface of the conductor,the electric field $\vec{E}$ is perpendicular to the surface. Hence,it is parallel to the area vector $d\vec{S}$,so $\vec{E} \parallel d\vec{S}$.
Inside the conductor,the electric field $\vec{E} = 0$. Therefore,the flux coming out from the cross-section of the pillbox inside the surface is $0$.
The flux coming out from the cross-section of the pillbox outside the surface is $\phi = \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{S} = E dS \cos 0^{\circ} = E dS$.
According to Gauss's theorem,the total flux $\phi = \frac{q}{\varepsilon_{0}}$.
Substituting the values,we get $E dS = \frac{\sigma dS}{\varepsilon_{0}}$.
Therefore,$E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_{0}}$.
In vector form,$\vec{E} = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_{0}} \hat{n}$,where $\hat{n}$ is the unit vector normal to the surface.
If $\sigma$ is positive,$\vec{E}$ is in the direction of the normal pointing outward from the surface. If $\sigma$ is negative,$\vec{E}$ is in the direction of the normal pointing inward toward the surface.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Consider a sphere of radius $R$ with charge density distributed as:
$\rho(r) = kr$ for $r \leq R$
$\rho(r) = 0$ for $r > R$
$(a)$ Find the electric field at all points $r$.
$(b)$ Suppose the total charge on the sphere is $2e$ where $e$ is the elementary charge. Where can two protons be embedded such that the force on each of them is zero? Assume that the introduction of the protons does not alter the charge distribution.

The nuclear charge $(Ze)$ is non-uniformly distributed within a nucleus of radius $R$. The charge density $\rho(r)$ (charge per unit volume) is dependent only on the radial distance $r$ from the center of the nucleus as shown in the figure. The electric field is only along the radial direction.
$1.$ The electric field at $r=R$ is
$(A)$ independent of $a$
$(B)$ directly proportional to $a$
$(C)$ directly proportional to $a^2$
$(D)$ inversely proportional to $a$
$2.$ For $a=0$,the value of $d$ (maximum value of $\rho$ as shown in the figure) is
$(A)$ $\frac{3Ze}{4\pi R^3}$ $(B)$ $\frac{3Ze}{\pi R^3}$ $(C)$ $\frac{4Ze}{3\pi R^3}$ $(D)$ $\frac{Ze}{3\pi R^3}$
$3.$ The electric field within the nucleus is generally observed to be linearly dependent on $r$. This implies
$(A)$ $a=0$ $(B)$ $a=\frac{R}{2}$ $(C)$ $a=R$ $(D)$ $a=\frac{2R}{3}$
Give the answer for questions $1, 2,$ and $3.$

This question has Statement-$1$ and Statement-$2$. Of the four choices given after the statements,choose the one that best describes the two statements.
An insulating solid sphere of radius $R$ has a uniformly positive charge density $\rho$. As a result of this uniform charge distribution,there is a finite value of electric potential at the centre of the sphere,at the surface of the sphere,and also at a point outside the sphere. The electric potential at infinity is zero.
Statement-$1$: When a charge $q$ is taken from the centre to the surface of the sphere,its potential energy changes by $\frac{q \rho R^2}{6 \epsilon_0}$.
Statement-$2$: The electric field at a distance $r (r < R)$ from the centre of the sphere is $\frac{\rho r}{3 \epsilon_0}$.

Three infinite sheets are placed as shown in the figure. Find the electric field at point $P$.

$A$ hollow sphere of charge does not produce an electric field at any

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo