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Q.Write definition of electric field intensity. Obtain an expression for electric force and electric pressure on the surface of a charged conductor. Draw necessary diagram. [1+2+1=4]

Rajasthan RbseRajasthan Board Senior Secondary Examination 2018Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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E = F/q₀; the outward force per unit area on a charged conductor's surface is the electric pressure P = σ²/2ε₀ = ½ε₀E².

Definition of electric field intensity: The electric field intensity at a point is defined as the electrostatic force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at that point:

E⃗=F⃗q0\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q_0}

where q0q_0 is a small positive test charge. Its SI unit is N/C (or V/m) and it is a vector directed along the force on a positive charge.

Electric force and pressure on the surface of a charged conductor:

Just outside the surface of a charged conductor with surface charge density σ\sigma, the electric field is

E=σε0E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}

while just inside the conductor the field is zero.

Consider a small element of area dAdA on the surface. This element carries charge dq=σ dAdq = \sigma\,dA. The field acting on this charge is the field due to all the other charges, which is the average of the field just inside (0) and just outside (σ/ε0\sigma/\varepsilon_0):

Eavg=12(0+σε0)=σ2ε0E_{avg} = \frac{1}{2}\left(0 + \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}\right) = \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_0}

Force on the element:

dF=dq⋅Eavg=σ dA⋅σ2ε0=σ22ε0 dAdF = dq \cdot E_{avg} = \sigma\,dA \cdot \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_0} = \frac{\sigma^2}{2\varepsilon_0}\,dA

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