Force on a charge due to charged sheet

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the force on a positive charge placed at a distance ##d## from a positively charged infinite metal plate. The standard approach using Gauss's Law yields an electric field of ##E=\frac{\rho}{2\epsilon_0}##, resulting in a force independent of ##d##. However, an alternative method suggests considering the field lines as if a negative charge were placed on the opposite side of the plate, forming a dipole. This leads to a force calculation of ##F=\frac{kQ^2}{(2d)^2}##, which is dependent on ##d##, indicating a different interaction model.

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  • Understanding of Gauss's Law and its application in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with electric field concepts and calculations
  • Knowledge of Coulomb's Law for force calculations between charges
  • Basic principles of dipole interactions in electrostatics
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  • Explore the concept of electric fields generated by dipoles
  • Investigate the effects of surface charge density on electric fields
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Yashbhatt
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Homework Statement


I want to find the force on a positive charge placed at a distance ##d## from a positively charged infinite plate. Of course, it can be simply done by finding the electric field due to the plate using Gauss's Law.

But my teacher suggested a different method and I am unable to comprehend it. He said that the field lines due to this particular configuration would be the same as the one in which a negative charge were to be placed on the opposite side of the plate at a distance ##d## forming a dipole.

3xPUL.png


Here ##d = d_1##.

Homework Equations


$$F=\frac{kq_1q_2}{r^2}$$
$$E=\frac{\rho}{2\epsilon_0}$$
$$\ \ \ \oint _S \vec{E} \cdot \vec{dA} = \frac{Q_{enclosed}}{\epsilon_0}$$
$$F=qE$$

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal electric field is ##\frac{\rho}{2\epsilon_0}## which gives a force independent from ##d## but using the above method, the force is ##\frac{kQ^2}{(2d)^2}## which depends on ##d## . What is the method at work? Is the force now simply the force between two positive and negative charges? i.e. Is the force on ##+Q## just ##\frac{kQ^2}{(2d)^2}## ?
 
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Yashbhatt said:

Homework Statement


I want to find the force on a positive charge placed at a distance ##d## from a positively charged infinite plate. Of course, it can be simply done by finding the electric field due to the plate using Gauss's Law.

But my teacher suggested a different method and I am unable to comprehend it. He said that the field lines due to this particular configuration would be the same as the one in which a negative charge were to be placed on the opposite side of the plate at a distance ##d## forming a dipole.

3xPUL.png


Here ##d = d_1##.

Homework Equations


$$F=\frac{kq_1q_2}{r^2}$$
$$E=\frac{\rho}{2\epsilon_0}$$
$$\ \ \ \oint _S \vec{E} \cdot \vec{dA} = \frac{Q_{enclosed}}{\epsilon_0}$$
$$F=qE$$

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal electric field is ##\frac{\rho}{2\epsilon_0}## which gives a force independent from ##d## but using the above method, the force is ##\frac{kQ^2}{(2d)^2}## which depends on ##d## . What is the method at work? Is the force now simply the force between two positive and negative charges? i.e. Is the force on ##+Q## just ##\frac{kQ^2}{(2d)^2}## ?
Copy the original text of the problem, please.
You said that the infinite plate was positively charged. Was the plate metal or insulator? What was the surface charge density on it?
 
ehild said:
Copy the original text of the problem, please.
You said that the infinite plate was positively charged. Was the plate metal or insulator? What was the surface charge density on it?

The plate is a metal plate and the surface charge density is ##\rho##.
 

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