Q.

Six infinitely large and thin non-conducting sheets are fixed in configurations I and II. As shown in the figure, the sheets carry uniform surface charge densities which are indicated in terms of σ0. The separation between any two consecutive sheets is 1 μm. The various regions between the sheets are denoted as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. If σ0=9 μC/m2, then which of the following statements is/are correct:

(Take permittivity of free space ε0=9×10-12F/m)                   [2025]

1 In region 4 of the configuration I, the magnitude of the electric field is zero.  
2 In region 3 of the configuration II, the magnitude of the electric field is σ0ε0.  
3 Potential difference between the first and the last sheets of the configuration I is 5 V.  
4 Potential difference between the first and the last sheets of the configuration II is zero.  

Ans.

(1)

In region 4, configuration I

(E4)I=σ02ε0[1-1+1-1-1+1]=0

(VFirst)I=-σ02ε0[-1+2-3+4-5]d

=-σ02ε0(-3)d=3σ0d2ε0

(VLast)I=-σ02ε0[1-2+3-4+5]d

=σ02ε0(-3)d=-3σ0d2ε0

(VFirst-VLast)I=3σ0dε0

=3×9×10-6×1×10-69×10-12=3 V

In region 3, configuration II

(E3)II=σ02ε0[12-1+1+1-1+12]=σ02ε0

(VFirst)II=-σ02ε0[-1+2-3+4-52]d

=-σ02ε0[2-2.5]d=σ0d4ε0

(VLast)II=-σ02ε0[1-2+3-4+52]d

=-σ02ε0[6.5-6]d=-σ0d4ε0

(VFirst-VLast)II=σ0d2ε0≠0