What is the relationship between electric field E and surface charge density σ o
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the relationship between electric field E and surface charge density σ on a conductor?
E = σ/ε₀
E = σ/2ε₀
E = 2σ/ε₀
E = σ/4ε₀
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the relationship between electric field E and surface charge density σ on a conductor?
Step 1: Understand that a conductor can hold electric charge on its surface.
Step 2: Know that surface charge density (σ) is the amount of charge per unit area on the surface of the conductor.
Step 3: Recognize that the electric field (E) is a measure of the force that a charge would feel in the vicinity of other charges.
Step 4: Learn that the relationship between the electric field just outside a charged conductor and the surface charge density is given by the formula E = σ/ε₀.
Step 5: Understand that ε₀ (epsilon naught) is a constant called the permittivity of free space, which helps relate charge and electric field.